1. Latino Children in Preschool: Building on Strengths and Meeting Challenges Lina Guzman, Ph.D. Presentation to the Education Writers Association September 4 th, 2014

2. Latino Children: The Numbers Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013; Table PEPASR6H, 2013 Postcensal Estimates 1 in 4 children are Latino Source: Child Trends calculations from Census Bureau 2012 Population Projections. Latinos will make up 1/3 of future workforce

3. Latino Children: The Numbers 1/3 of Hispanic children live in poverty Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2012)

4. Strengths of Latino Children  Strong Start:  a healthy weight at birth  high rates of breastfeeding  Strong Families:  58% living with two parents 59% having home cooked meals 67% of parents have high expectations for educational attainment

5. Starting School: Mixed Picture  Behind in:  Academic readiness skills  Math and reading  On par or better on social- emotional skills Source: National Household Education Surveys program of 2007 (NCES 2008-051) Hispanic children less academically ready for kindergarten

6. Social-Emotional Development: What is it?  Capacity to form close and secure relationships  Regulate and express emotions appropriately  Explore and learn Components include: Self RegulationProblem Behaviors Social Competence Social Cognition

7. How early care and education environments can support young Latino children’s development  Classroom environment and practices  Teacher-child relationship Peer relationships Home-school connection

8. Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors Program

9. Questions for reporters in their local areas? How do local Latino child population educational trends compare to the national data trends for Latino children?  Demographic trends  Participation in early child care programs What are local schools doing to support Latino children’s social-emotional development?  Child home language and culture  1 st and 2 nd language and literacy development  Teacher-child relationship  Home-school connection

10. For more information contact: Lina Guzman, Ph.D. Director, Hispanic Institute lguzman@childtrends.org Alicia Torres, Ph.D. Director of Communications and Hispanic Outreach atorres@childtrends.org Visit us at: www.childtrends.org www.childtrends.org/databank/ A national knowledge center building a bright future for Latino children and youth