We have all heard the phrase, “Children are our future,” but what does that really mean?

Yes, we are aware that our children will one day be adults, who will ultimately be responsible for the success of our community. When we look at this idea in further detail, what can we do to create the optimal environment for these children to grow, learn and achieve?

As I watch my 2-year-old slide his peanut butter smeared fingers through his clean hair, I wonder how I can prepare him to one day be the next NBA basketball star – yes, my husband is already predicting our son’s future.  

It’s amazing as we start to see glimpses of our children’s personalities. Since they change daily, it’s interesting to think about where they will be in ten or twenty years. How do the early years truly affect a child’s ability to succeed? What is success? How do we want our community to look when our children are adults?

After the Community Partnership for Children (CPC) had its second community planning day a couple weeks ago, it was clear with so many organizations represented, that the subject of early learning is important. In this meeting, we were able to address certain concerns, as well as strengths that our community has in relation to early learning and child development. Investing in our children at a young age has immediate impact on their lives, and long term impact on the community.

The CPC is starting to address the need to have a better coordinated system of care within early learning resources, and to develop a new program called Welcome Baby. The program is currently being developed with many partners supporting the effort. In the beginning, it will offer visits to first time parents in Sheboygan County, with the goal to offer it to every family in the future as funding is raised. The intent is to match the needs of the family with early learning resources that are currently being offered in the community. By working with a family in the very beginning of a child’s life, the more prepared the parents will be, and the more opportunities the child will have as they grow.   

We want our families to feel empowered in Sheboygan County. As our children grow up in confident households, they will carry that with them as they become adults. The CPC looks to strengthen our community – it starts with baby steps.