Preschool education is important in readying children for learning experiences in kindergarten and elementary school. Through preschool, toddlers experience and explore learning in ways that are beneficial for their futures.

Hawaii residents need to support Governor Neil Abercrombie’s proposal for statewide preschool education because it helps to ensure our children’s future and the future of our community.

In his budget for the state, Abercrombie has made preschool education a top priority. Though the Senate supports his plan for preschool education, there is a possibility that the preschool proposal will end up different from what Abercrombie envisions.

Public support for Abercrombie’s preschool education proposal is widespread. A poll conducted by Ward Research showed that 77 percent of voters supported partly free or free preschool for Hawaii’s children.

Christina Cox from KCAA Preschools of Hawaii said, “Research bears out that children that have at least one year of preschool before they enter kindergarten are much more likely to succeed and have higher third grade reading scores.”

Preschool education began in the United States during the Industrial Revolution when “infant schools” were created in churches, factories and private homes for the sole purpose of caring for the young children of workers.

Studies have shown that preschool inspires young children’s curiosity and imagination and improves their future academic performances. It also creates a love for learning early on that can carry through the rest of their lives. Through preschool, children develop good character and also good study skills.

Studies have also shown that children who attend preschool enjoy reading more and become better readers compared to children who do not attend; are more likely to attend and graduate from high school and college by 50 percent; need less public assistance as adults; and are less likely to be incarcerated or arrested as teens or adults. Children who attend preschool also increase their future earnings by 36 percent, increase their chances of owning their own home by 57 percent and have a higher IQ compared to those with no preschool education

In 2005, 20,665,000 6-year old children in the United States were not enrolled in preschool. In the years 2005 to 2006, a study showed that 4-year old children with preschool education had higher scores in reading, expressive vocabulary, mathematics scale, color knowledge and fine motor skill compared to 4-year children without a preschool education.

According to these studies and many more conducted throughout the decade, benefits for children with a preschool education are immense and contribute to a much brighter future for the children themselves and their communities. We must support the governor’s efforts to bring preschool education to all.