According to the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, in 2009, 9-month-olds in poverty had lower proficiency levels in three of five cognitive skills, compared with children at or above poverty by only 4 percent.
When observing the cognitive skills of 2-year-olds in the same poverty categories, there was an extremely vast difference.
For example, 29 percent of 2-year-olds in poverty demonstrated proficiency in listening comprehension, compared with 39 percent of those at or above poverty. Fifty-five percent of those in poverty were proficient in expressive vocabulary, compared with 67 percent at or above poverty.
The statistics show that children in poverty have the ability to attain a high education and compete with those individuals at or above the poverty level. However, the earlier the learning begins, the better chance the children have at succeeding.
The Southeast Children’s Fund (SCF) is aware of these statistics. That is why the nonprofit organization has been dedicated to educating residents of Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C., for over 15 years.
Frances J. Rollins founded the Southeast Children’s Fund with the mission of helping children out of poverty by providing programs to support their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Children beginning at six months of age coming from some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods of D.C. are provided early care and education that will start them on a path to success.
The nonprofit organization uses the Creative Curriculum developed by Teaching Strategies, Inc. It is based in research and focused on advancing preschool aged children in the following fields: emotional, physical, cognitive and verbal.
Children are our future. They need the right direction at an early age in order to be the next President of the United States or Chief of Police. By educating local D.C. children, the Southeast Children’s Fund is a nonprofit organization that is making a difference in both their and our futures.
Emily Stankiewicz SOC, 2012
