The First 2,000 Days:
Why They Matter Most
The first 2,000 days of a child's life are crucial for learning and development. Those first five and a half years of rapid growth can significantly impact a child's future. By the time a child enters kindergarten, their brain has already developed over 85%, including the foundations of learning, memory, social-emotional skills, self-regulation, cognitive development, and language development.
Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life. Harvard University's Center for the Developing Child states, "In the first few years of life, more than one million new neural connections form every second" and that "early experiences affect the quality of that architecture by establishing either a sturdy or a fragile foundation for all of the learning, health, and behavior that follow."
Early intervention matters. Early learning centers affiliated with the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County build on CDC developmental milestones and help to strengthen brain connections, providing young students with a solid foundation for academic and lifelong achievements. Research has shown that early childhood education is linked to improved college outcomes, higher earning potential, and lower rates of criminal behavior.
However, the sad reality is that too many Orange County families cannot afford to enroll their children in quality preschool programs.
Too many Orange County families struggle to give young children the chance they deserve.
13%
Orlando area workers’ wages below national average as of May 2022
15%
Estimated number of Orange County residents living below the poverty line, 2021
- about 10% higher than the statewide rate
- about 20% higher compared to the nationwide rate
21%
Estimated number of Orange County children under 18 living below the poverty line, 2021
50%
Percentage of Orange County children considered ‘not ready’ to enter kindergarten, 2022
Research has shown that children from families with lower incomes may experience a delay in their language and vocabulary development by the time they are 18 months old. This six-month setback in language skills can negatively affect their overall academic progress. As a result, they may face difficulties in other areas of learning. By the time they are ready to start kindergarten, only 48% of children from households below the poverty line are considered adequately prepared for school.
Without the learning support provided by early education programs, this readiness gap continues to widen, and unfortunately, it is difficult to close; children whose readiness is below par when they start school continue to struggle throughout their school career and beyond.
Please Donate today. Help ELCOC close the achievement gap by giving all of Orange County’s children the best possible preparation for school – and life.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide every child with equal access to high quality early learning programs by supporting those who help children grow and develop.
Our Vision
Our vision is for every child in Orange County to enter kindergarten with the foundation necessary to reach their full potential.
Inclusion
We believe that all children, including those with disabilities or special health care needs, deserve to participate in a safe, affordable, high quality child care and learning environment.