Bright Futures Begin with Strong Starts
The early years are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape a child’s future. Quality early childhood programs don’t just benefit kids—they strengthen families, build better communities and drive Arizona’s success. By understanding and supporting early childhood, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
The Power of Early Brain Development
By age 5, 90% of a child’s brain is developed. Every interaction—every hug, every word, every laugh—creates millions of neural connections, building the foundation for their lifelong learning, health and success. Early experiences shape futures. Watch our video to understand why every moment counts.
Early Literacy: Words Build Worlds
Early literacy is a cornerstone of a child’s development. Talking, reading and singing with young children builds more than language—it builds futures. Kids who grow up with rich language environments become stronger readers and better learners. It’s the simple actions of today that spark the success of tomorrow.
The Best Investment We Can Make
Investing in early childhood doesn’t just help kids—it helps all of Arizona. Quality early childhood programs improve school readiness, reduce future costs and fuel economic growth. For every $1 invested, communities see up to $16 in return. The earlier the investment, the greater the impact.
First Things First is Arizona’s early childhood agency, focused on funding innovative programs and strategies that:
- Strengthen families in their role as their child’s first teacher
- Increase the quality and access of early learning environments like preschool and child care
- Promote prevention and early identification of health problems that can impact learning later on
