Effective Language For Promoting Policies In Early Childhood Care And Education Nancy White Full Circle Associates

Lakoff-Grady Suggestions –Parents and early educators as partners –Reframing the first six years: learning from birth –Natural Learning vs. Study –Moral and Social Foundations of the Child

More… –The Science frame: Early Investment/Investment in the Future –ECE as solution to education problems –ECE as first step in education process

Focus Group Goals Test reactions to metaphors, frameworks and labels –that help convince people to support ECE policies –which excite and motivate audiences –which bridge between the needs to work & child’s development

Focus Groups –African American/Seattle, mixed socio-economic and age –Caucasian/Kent, middle socio- economic, slightly older and more conservative

Framing The Importance of Parental Roles & Responsibilities The Understanding and Support of Quality ECE Quality Assurance and Financial Issues

Parental Responsibility Parents are responsible for: –child’s developmental & educational growth –choosing and monitoring care –communicating and partnering with teachers Some parents don’t know --> parent education Moral and Social Foundation triggers strong response -- family responsibility

Importance and Support of ECE Recognized & supported value of full range of education Understood “learning from birth” Scientific information helpful, but not too much detail Some skepticism of “new” approaches to learning Understood developmental importance of early experiences

More… Supportive of “Natural Learning” Experiences could be given in a range of settings Feel early investment is important to child’s success ECE can be part of the solution to education problems, Do not feel ECE alone assures success

Finance and Quality Assurance No consensus AA - support for community & government accountability C - desire for more parental input on standards Both support business involvement Many in both support some form of public spending Pessimism about community $ support

Labels and Language No “inspired” phrase Prefer “learning” over “education” Dislike slogans like “educare” and “foundation learning” Keep it simple…distrust new slogans for old issues

Conclusions Emphasis on parental responsibility Understanding, interest in and support of early learning & development issues No consensus on quality assurance or funding