A recent study shows Idaho’s 3- to 5-year-olds rank last in the nation for early learning skills needed to be ready for kindergarten, based on two years of parent survey data from the National Survey of Children’s Health.

Jackie Yarbrough is a senior program officer for the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health

I’m a native Idahoan, born and raised in the Hagerman valley. I’ve spent my entire career in the Gem State working with children and families. I find this recent Idaho kindergarten readiness data deeply disappointing.

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health shares these concerns. As a statewide health foundation focused on addressing the root causes that impact health, we know education and health outcomes are directly linked.

Early education is important because it helps provide a base for lifelong learning, behavior, and health. The early years (birth to age 5) are when brains develop rapidly, and quality early education programs can help promote cognitive, emotional, and social growth. There is no other time in a person’s life when the brain develops as rapidly as those first five years.

Early education programs not only help cognitive, emotional, and social growth, they help prepare children for kindergarten. Data shows that children who attend quality early education programs are more likely to graduate high school, attend college or trade school, and achieve higher earnings.

Because Idaho doesn’t fund early education and many districts can’t afford to offer it, families, especially rural families, are left with limited options. That’s where our Foundation comes in. We believe every Idaho family should have to access to early education programming for their child if they want it, which is why we offer grants to Idaho schools and districts to start or expand early education programs.

These are among our most sought-after grants because educators and communities want what’s best for their kids. Since 2021, we’ve supported 23 schools and districts representing all six education regions in Idaho.

We’re hearing and seeing positive impacts from administrators, teachers, and parents about the difference these programs are making. This is how we help Idaho’s youngest learners build the early learning skills needed for kindergarten and beyond, and not be the worst in the nation.