Head Start Preschool Program

Head start preschool program Name Institutional Affiliation Head start preschool program is an education program financed by the federal government to introduce children aged three to five years old from underprivileged families to early learning programs. The program which started in 1965, it seeks to advance the mental, social, emotional and physical aspects of children while also incorporating parents as partners in educating children. The program has contributed to the education of young children in various ways. The primary contribution of the Head Start program to the foundation of Early Childhood education is educating children. According to education experts, the first five years of a child’s life are vital in laying the foundation of learning and development of a child (Office of Head Start, 2019). However, most parents do not find the essence of such a program and choose to keep their children at home until they are ready for kindergarten. But, research has shown that children who attend Head Start preschools adopt skills, which makes them perform better at taking tests when compared to other children. Additionally, their reading and writing skills make them more receptive to early childhood education. The second contribution of the Head Start preschool program is preparing children for early childhood education. The early learning implemented in this program helps children to learn language, reading, writing, math and science concepts. For instance, immigrant children who speak Spanish get to learn and perfect English, which makes it easier for them to adapt to learning in kindergarten. Also, through their interactions with teachers and fellow students according to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, they learn how to follow instructions and develop social and emotional skills (Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, 2019). The adoption of all these skills helps children to mature and be ready to engage in serious learning in the early childhood curriculum. The third contribution of the program is promoting the health of the children. Learning incorporates more than just reading, writing and knowing how to do maths. Children need to develop their perception, motor skills, and physical development. The Head Start project understands this and to ensure children can function in their environment; it offers various medical services (Bitler, Hoynes & Domina, 2017). For instance, children undergo vision and hearing tests, development screening, and get immunized. Also, they receive proper nutritional care, oral health, and psychological support. Through these medical services, children get the assurance that they are healthy and mentally sound to go through the education system, while those who are sick get specialized treatment, which prepares them for kindergarten learning. Fou...