State conference
By Debra Barayuga
highlights early childhood
development issues
Star-BulletinHawaii is joining a movement that is sweeping the country as it researches how much children can learn, and at what age.
"The result of brain research has shown us how important, really, intervention is of any kind, as young as after birth," said Mike Fahey, state coordinator of the Department of Education's preschool special education section.
"We always knew intervention was important, but now we have proof."
The 1998 Hawaii Early Childhood Conference tomorrow at Pearl City High School will highlight the latest brain research to help professionals identify critical periods in a child's development as well as educate the public on support for early childhood education. The event focuses on children's issues from birth to age 8.
Studies on brain development show the maximum potential for learning is from birth to age 5, said state Rep. Dennis Arakaki, co-chair of the Early Childhood Education and Care joint legislative committee formed last session.
"In order to maximize learning, we really have to, to the greatest extent possible, ensure that children are in a proper environment to be stimulated and to learn not only academically, but socially and emotionally," he said.
Children in early childhood education or professional child care can be identified early for health and developmental problems. They're also found to be better adjusted and more ready to learn when they enter school.
Several mainland states are looking into providing universal access to early childhood education. They're finding that kids who lose out on quality child care are not necessarily those who come from poor families. It's low-income working families and middle-income families who are struggling to find quality child care and, in many cases, their children end up with poor quality care or with relatives, Arakaki said.
While there's nothing wrong with having grandparents or aunties taking care of children, he said, most are not qualified to spot developmental delays that professionals are trained to see.
Early childhood education is an investment, Arakaki said. "At some point in time we have to be willing to make that investment because we end up paying for it later on anyway."
The Felix consent decree is just one example. The federal mandate requires the state to identify children with special needs and provide educational and mental health services for them by June 2000.
"We're paying thousands of dollars for kids with a lot of problems that surfaced early on, but there was no intervention so the problems became worse over time," Arakaki said.
When there is no early intervention, these children grow into adults who either end up in prison or on welfare, which is even more costly.
While Hawaii is ahead of some states in supporting early childhood intervention, more needs to be done, Fahey said.
The Good Beginnings Alliance, made up of public and private groups that deal with children, is a good indication that Hawaii can develop a better system, ranging from day care to mental health services for children, he said.
Those in higher education are also looking at early education in a different light. The University of Hawaii next year will offer a master's program in early childhood education.
Also in the works is a personnel registry for professionals in the child-care field to enable them to see the range of employment opportunities available for those with various levels of experience.
About 1,000 participants are expected to attend the 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. conference, titled Leo Mana O Na Hulu Mamo or "Melody of Hawaii's Children."
Workshops will be offered during five different sessions throughout the day. Each workshop can accommodate between 30 to 40 people.
Workshops will range from caring for caretakers, to identifying and understanding children with a range of disabilities, to encouraging leadership in the early childhood community.
To register, call 942-4708. Walk-in registration will be available on conference day.
