Eric Dick recognizes that the early years of a child's life are a critical period for brain development, laying the foundation for future learning, behavior, and health. He believes investing in high-quality early childhood education is one of the most effective ways to promote educational equity, close achievement gaps, and ensure all children enter kindergarten ready to learn and succeed.
Dick supports efforts to expand access to affordable, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, particularly for children from low-income families and other at-risk populations. He believes these programs should be staffed by skilled, well-compensated educators with specialized training in early childhood development and instruction.
Recognizing that learning begins at birth, Dick also supports initiatives to provide comprehensive services for infants, toddlers, and their families, such as Early Head Start and home visiting programs. These programs can give parents the knowledge, skills, and resources to support their children's healthy development and build solid foundations for future learning.
Dick believes in the importance of aligning early childhood education with K-12 systems to create seamless pathways for learning. He wants to see more collaboration between pre-K providers and elementary schools to ensure that children experience smooth transitions and that their individual needs are met as they progress through the education system.
To support the early childhood education workforce, Dick advocates for investments in professional development, coaching, and mentoring programs that help educators continuously improve their practice. He also believes in providing competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain skilled early childhood professionals.
Dick recognizes that providing high-quality early learning opportunities requires a significant investment of resources. However, he believes this investment pays off many times over in the form of improved academic outcomes, reduced special education placements, lower rates of grade retention, and a host of other long-term benefits for children and society.
Ultimately, Dick believes that expanding access to early childhood education is not only a wise investment but also a moral imperative. By giving every child a strong start in life, regardless of their background or circumstances, we can create a more equitable, prosperous, and just society for generations to come.