An Example of the benefits of Research for children and families

A positive example of research is the Perry Preschool Study. In 1962, David Weikart and his colleagues set out to prove just how beneficial quality early childhood programs are to children, families, and society. In his research, Weikart followed  123 preschool age children some went to a quality preschool and others did not attend preschool. The children participating in this study were all African American and from low-income and were all considered at-risk. The study tracked the children through-out their entire academy career, professional, and personal life. What the study found was that the children that attended the quality programs scored exceptionally well on standardized testing, had a higher high school graduation rate, low teenage pregnacy rate, earned more money, and were less likely to have a criminal background. They also married, became homeowners, and were overall productive citizens. This study has had great influence on helping others to understand the importance of children attending early childhood programs.

This program has influenced the program that I had previously worked at for the past eight years. The whole basis of this particular program was based around the High Scope curriculum, which was the same curriculum the children in the study were taught with. Having to use the curriculum myself with preschool age children, I can say that it works and it does gives children power and support and helps to set them up for success. High Scope uses the plan-do- review, which teaches children how to think, follow through, and to reflect. This is an awesome curriculum and this study should be read by the many nay-sayers that might not believe that early childhood can make a difference in the lives of young children.