Institute Explores Current Research

On October 17th, the Settlement School hosted an all-day “Institute” for educators involved in early childhood programs to foster better awareness. The Institute was part of the James Still Learning Center's Early Childhood Initiative and featured Dr. Victoria Molfese, Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research on Early Childhood Issues and Initiatives at the University of Louisville. The U of L Center was established in response to a growing national recognition that the early years of a child’s development can have long-term consequences.

One critical area where they are focusing their efforts is learning disabilities. Recent research has shown that it is possible to identify children with learning or reading differences much earlier than grade school. Much of this research is focusing on the early identification of deficits in language and reading skills that characterize as many as 80 percent of the children with learning disabilities.

There is evidence that effective intervention can be applied in very early childhood and result in significant gains in growth of language and reading skills. An important benefit of linking the early identification of learning disabilities with subsequent early intervention is the increased probability of remediating problems before secondary consequences, such as emotional, self-concept and behavioral difficulties occur.

More than 85 people, representing 18 agencies and organizations that serve 1,200 young children in Eastern Kentucky, attended the Institute. The group identified a key challenge is the lack of professionals, namely speech/language therapists, to provide timely and targeted intervention. Additional sessions are being planned as a result of the gathering.