Marilyn Hokanson said she believes preschool is more than just a place where kids learn how to cut and color.

As a teacher-specialist in Pomona Unified School District, Hokanson said preschool needs to be a place where kids are also learning social-emotional behavior, social studies, math and reading.

“When children are little, they’re passive learners, but what we never knew is how engaged they are,” Hokanson said. “We’re starting to learn with brain research that children are very fertile for learning at a young age.”

With recent budget cutbacks, school readiness at a young age has moved to the forefront as a critical issue.

Many districts focus their intervention in middle and high schools because they see students struggling or dropping out.

However, some educators say time and money should be focused on creating a stronger foundation so students won’t need as much help as they get into their teens.

As a trained early childhood educator, I’m encouraged that this article brings focus to the point of the importance of Pre-Kindergarten in the lives of children. More over, it’s great to see a long time colleague of mine, the now Assistant Secretary of Education Dr. Thelma Melendez De Santana, acknowledging this fact in a very public way. If you care about Early Childhood education, take the time to read this piece.