NORTHAMPTON — Many educators, such as Barbara Black of the Northampton Public Schools, believe that children make the future. On March 20, the public is invited to join the discussion about the importance of early childhood care.
“The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation,” the first episode of a five-part documentary series, will be shown at Northampton High School, 380 Elm St., on March 20 at 6 p.m.
The 58-minute film covers the significance of raising children in a safe and caring environment and the lack of resources to do so that many communities face.
The Northampton Public Schools have collaborated with Community Action, the Hampshire County United Way and The Collaborative for Education Services (CES) to plan this event.
Black, assistant director of student services: early childhood, hopes to see anyone who deals with young children at the event, ranging from parents, to educators, to pediatricians, to business people.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Black said, about reforming the childcare system.
Society must place a greater emphasis on interacting with children from an early age, she explained.
“When you have a baby and you’re cooing at the baby, the baby is making noise at you and you’re making noise back at the baby — that’s the start of it,” Black explained. It is vital for a child to form attachments and feel safe as they mature, she said.
According to Black, keeping up with these interactions can be difficult, especially for working families, because childcare is so expensive. Affordability of childcare is one of the various issues touched upon in the film.
In the Northampton school system, educators try to focus on social and emotional development in the early stages of childhood, Black said.
“Certainly in our district, and I think in most districts, there is the recognition that you can’t just focus on academics,” she said. Northampton educators also strive to make children feel safe and supported.
Black asserted that early childhood experiences impacts who children become as adults. She equated an investment in children to an investment in solving future societal issues.
“If we can fix some of it up front, by giving kids a strong start, maybe we won’t have so many people in jail,” Black stated.
Black has seen much progress in her 20 years as early childhood director of student services.
“I’ve been in the field a very long time and there have been a lot of changes that have been amazing, but that doesn’t mean we’re done,” she said.
Following the film, five panelists will speak. They include Dr. Randy Albelda, graduate program director and professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Kate Glynn, business owner of A Child’s Garden and board member of the United Way of Hampshire County, Northampton Public Schools Superintendent Dr. John Provost, Dr. Miriam Tager, assistant professor of education at Westfield State University and Community Action Site Supervisor Shawna Tobin. Community Action Executive Director Clare Higgins will moderate.
The event is free and childcare will be provided at the event. The remaining four episodes will aired on NCTV within the coming months.