A growing body of evidence shows the benefits of early childhood education experiences, both for the child and society. However, many studies also show that achievement gaps appear early and widen over the years that children are in school.
Now more than ever, educators must understand the need to support a seamless continuum of learning for every child across prekindergarten through the third grade, typically age three to age 8. NAESP’s Leading Learning Communities: A Principal’s Guide to Early Learning and the Early Grades (Pre-K–3rd Grade) encourages elementary principals to deepen their own knowledge and skills related to Pre-K–3rd grade, and to provide specific guidance for principals to become more effective leaders on behalf of young children.