Why Do Some Kids Learn Better Than Others?

hy Do SomeKids Learn Better Than Others? (NAPSA)—Whydo some children learn more and faster in elementary school than others? The question has puzzled educators and parents for years and sparked a numberof studies and debates across the academic community. New evidence suggests the answerto the question may be simpler than some might have thought: day care. Some educators have suggested day care programs can provide children with some basic learning skills before they get to school. Some studies show that kids in developmental day care programs learn better and faster than children who were not in educational day care programs. Studies also suggest developmental pre-school programs may be even more important for disadvantaged children or children who have experienced homelessness. The findings are significant becauseit’s estimated that more than 20 percent of the nation’s children live in poverty and experience more health and learning problems than other children. In fact, kids who have been homeless are thought to be four times more likely to have learning problems. That’s one reason groups such as Volunteers of America (one of the nation’s largest providers of affordable family housing) provide developmental day care and afterschool programs for disadvantaged children and kids who have experienced homelessness. ~ Studies suggestchildren who were in day care seem to learn faster and better than children who were not. “We provide a safe haven for children where learning is made possible. This includes help with homework and access to computers, as well as special learning activities that help create an atmosphere wherechildren can be happy and gain skills that will help them build successful lives,” says Volunteers of America President Charles Gould. “The nation’s affordable housing crisis is making it even more difficult for America’s working poor to provide adequate day care and after-school care for children. Government and private partnerships need to provide developmental programs for disadvantaged, abused and neglected children.It’s important to the children’s futures and the future of America,” adds Gould. For more information, visit www.VolunteersofAmerica.org.