Regardless of whether there are young children in your life, the care and education of young children affect you in more ways than you realize

By capitalizing on a key period of brain development, we can ensure children gain important traits as self-control, independence, language skills and making good choices. A child who is healthy and prepared will enter kindergarten ready to succeed. Conversely, children who start behind tend to stay behind, as countless studies show.

As Hampton Roads residents, it's our duty to this community and our own future to make sure young children here get the strong start they need. Whether we volunteer at a preschool, vote for pre-K funding, donate to early childhood nonprofits, or become active in a young child's life, we're ensuring a high return to society for our investment... and best of all, making a difference in a child's life.