The Early Childhood Promise
Coming August, 2024
Coming August, 2024
Written by a pediatric occupational therapist and an early childhood educator to give all children the best start possible.
Sparking Change for Parents, Early Childhood Professionals and Policy-Makers
This revolutionary book is the first of its kind to optimize early childhood outcomes by taking a broad multi-generational approach to empower parents. Through examining all of the broken early childhood systems in America, we bring to light the opportunities for change and reform with practical solutions for everyone from parents to policy-makers.
Ensuring the best start for all children
Excerpt from foreword written by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek:
“Children are our greatest natural resource. When we do not take care of the nation’s children, we pay the price 20 years in the future. Yet, the United States, does not show well on the world stage. In their book, The Early Childhood Promise, authors Aimee Ketchum and Crystal Loose share some of this budding information along with years of wisdom that they bring from the areas of childcare and occupational therapy. They speak to policy makers and to parents, to educators and to influencers to jumpstart the discussion around offering high quality, and interactive environments for our children. They make the persuasive argument that reaping the benefits of early childhood will be an all-hands-on deck affair. It is beyond time for our governments, our communities, and our families to rally around early childhood.
-Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Best-Selling Author of Einstein Never Used Flash Cards and Becoming Brilliant, Professor of Psychology at Temple University and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.
“This book is spot on! The research, data and solutions to the problems are clear. The family stories alone should wake up any American who cares about babies, children, families and the future of this country. We do, indeed, need a serious systematic paradigm shift with regard to early childhood and early childhood education!”
—Dr. Kelly K. Cartwright Ed.D. Superintendent of Dover Area School District, PA
“As a parent, educator, principal, and early childhood advocate, I found The Early Childhood Promise to be an eye-opener. It eloquently highlights the critical importance of the first five years in a child's development and the invaluable role parents and caregivers play during this period. Dr. Ketchum and Dr. Loose make a compelling case for the necessity of quality early education and childcare, emphasizing how intertwined care and education are. Through real-world examples, The Early Childhood Promise sheds light on the decline in preschool and kindergarten readiness, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and stresses the need for early intervention for developmental delays. The importance of play in early learning is thoroughly explored, reminding us that children learn best through unstructured, creative play. This comprehensive work calls for systemic changes and community involvement to ensure every child gets the best start possible. It is an essential read for parents, educators, and policymakers committed to improving early childhood education and care.”
— Adam M. Penning Ed. D. Principal
“If you are an advocate for children, this is the book for you. “The Early Childhood Promise” provides valuable information and resources for parents, teachers, and early childhood educators who are truly invested in children. This engaging book provides current research-based information on a variety of critical topics, including kindergarten readiness, the value of play, the importance of limiting screen time, and the need for high-quality childcare. Everyone who believes that “our children are the future” should read this book.”
- Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L, Chair & Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Author of Retro Baby and Retro Toddler
The Early Childhood Promise Synopsis:
The data is clear when it comes to what is best for young children, but we as a country do not always translate that valuable knowledge into action. The gaps in childcare policies, kindergarten readiness programs and even tax laws prohibit children from benefitting from the best possible outcomes. Sweeping reform is needed from the terminology we use to the large systems in place, but those changes are not coming any time soon. We cannot waste another minute. An already bleak situation has been made dire by the COVID-19 pandemic, as childcare is one of the only industries that has not returned to pre-pandemic status and American children continue to fall behind in kindergarten readiness.
This book carefully examines each paradox of early childhood, identifying what we know to be best practice but do not always practice, resulting in unfulfilled promises. From here, we offer solutions beginning at home, stretching to the community, and culminating in public policy. Let’s face it, our nation is failing our youngest citizens, but it is not only the children who will pay the price. The implications are long-lasting and insidious, affecting every single one of us. This book highlights the promise of every baby and provides parents and caregivers with the tools necessary to take matters in their own hands from early childhood education to advocacy, truly ensuring that every child is afforded the best start possible.
Dr. Aimee E. Ketchum
Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Assistant Professor in Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Cedar Crest College, and owner and operator of Aimee’s Babies, LLC.
Dr. Crystal Coral Loose
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at West Chester University and Founder/Operator of Plant the Seed of Learning.