Off to a Good Start: Strong Foundations for Strong Futures

Our newest publication, Off to a Good Start: Social and Emotional Development of Memphis’ Children, demonstrates that children who grow up in environments that support social and emotional development have better coping skills, more self-esteem, and healthier relationships.

Investing in our children’s first years prepares them for a successful future! Tweet this!

Unfortunately, the report also concludes that many children in our community are at risk of not developing to their full potential. Children can encounter a variety of risk factors, and many children face several of these.

Some risk factors are present in the first stages of life. Rates of premature birth and low birth weight in Memphis are higher than national rates.

Other risks are related to a child’s home environment. 40 percent of children under age 6 in Shelby County live in poverty. Many others live in families that are just above the official poverty line but still face the same challenges as poor families.

Parents who are single, who do not have a high school diploma, or who do not earn a living wage are likely to struggle to provide their children with enriching experiences. Similarly, the stress associated with poverty effective parenting difficult.

Another category of risks involves factors outside the home. Living in a dangerous neighborhood contributes to parental stress and can interfere with positive parenting. Many children spend a large portion of their time in low-quality child care programs that do not adequately address their social and emotional development.

Throughout February, we’ll be discussing ways that parents can buffer children from negative influences. We’ll also look at ways that our community can bolster healthy functioning in at-risk families and ensure that children enjoy early experiences that help them thrive.

Everyone in our community has a role to play in supporting our children.

The new report documents the widespread risks that confront too many of our children. However, it also looks beyond the statistics and makes a call to action directed at government officials, the faith community, educators, grassroots groups, families, and all stakeholders in our community.

To improve the well-being of young children we must work harder to make meaningful changes. Although our community’s problems sometimes seem insurmountable, there are viable solutions.

We must make early childhood issues a higher priority and make smarter investments in our children. For example, we can help children by creating programs and policies that:

  • Improve prenatal health and well-being so that every child can have a fair start in life
  • Increase sensitive parenting, support parental education, reduce toxic stress, and foster economic well-being of families
  • increase the quality of child care by providing early childhood professionals with evidence-based training that focuses on young children’s social and emotional development
  • reduce crime and increase economic development potential in high risk neighborhoods

Investing in children’s earliest years prepares them for a successful future. It also benefits our community’s future by building an efficient workforce, fostering a strong economy, improving our schools, and reducing crime.

Our wish is that Memphis will become famous not only as the home of Beale Street, barbeque, and the blues, but also as the city that cares for its children.