What voters think about Early Learning

The Department of Early Learning for Washington State recently contracted with Craciun Research Group to poll a sampling of registered voters in our state about what they know about Early Learning and the Dept. of Early Learning. Craciun polled 508 Washington voters (152 were parents of children birth to age five) during the period from December 17, 2007 and January 3, 2008. Craciun stated that the fact that it used registered voters tended to skew the number of respondents to older, Caucasians from middle to high income families. As you read these results, please keep this fact in mind. Below are questions that were asked and the answers the researchers got from the interviewees.

In your opinion, when do you think a child begins learning?

95% of those surveyed believe that children begin learning at birth or during the first year

What are the most important factors in kindergarten readiness?

• 84% of those surveyed believe that “Listening and following directions and getting along with other children” are major factors in kindergarten readiness

• Less than half (42%) considered physical readiness such as writing his or her name or using scissors or marking pens very important

What is the community’s responsibility to young children?

• 76% of those surveyed believe that it is a community responsibility to support the government in funding opportunities for children who do not currently have access to early learning opportunities

What is the most trusted source of parenting information for you?

• 70% trust only people with whom they have close contact

• 13% trust books and libraries

• 12% trust other parenting experts

• 6% trust their own instincts most of all

I found this research to be fascinating and encouraging for several reasons. The first is the percentage of the people polled who believed that learning begins at birth or in the first year. The second is that social emotional skills were considered much more important than cognitive skills when assessing kindergarten readiness. The third reason is for the fact that despite the internet and all the other media surrounding us today, parents are still turning to trusted friends, parents and siblings to get advice and information on parenting. Finally, I was happy to see that the majority of people surveyed believe that the government has a responsibility to make early learning opportunities available to children who may not have them otherwise.

Are you surprised with these results? It is a small sample and I don't think we can extrapolate the findings out very far but I see it as good information on how 508 registered voters in the state of Washington feel about Early Learning.

Let me know what you think.