Brief | April 5, 2017

Manny Fernandez: Too Many At-Risk Kids Aren’t Ready for Kindergarten

Managing Partner, KPMG Dallas

Manny Fernandez

I was eight years old when I arrived in the U.S. from Cuba. That is when I learned to read, write, and speak English. With strong support from my parents, as well as English language educational support provided at my elementary school. I mastered the language in less than one year.

The kids we commonly refer to as being at-risk are in a similar situation, because too many are already stuck behind the starting block when they begin kindergarten. That’s one big reason why thousands of ReadyNation members are rallying to expend opportunities for children to participate in high-quality early learning.

Manny Fernandez

Without quality early learning, many children will grow up and fail in the workplace because they haven’t learned how to “play well with others.” It’s about social interaction and the ability to fit in as your own person.

Success at my workplace involves being able to:

  • listen to customers and colleagues;
  • collaborate with others to solve problems
  • understand different perspectives
  • be empathetic
  • be a team player with the pressure is on

Step into any high-quality early learning setting, and you’ll find educators focusing intently on the very same social-emotional skills.

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Manny Fernandez

Managing Partner, KPMG Dallas

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  1. Early Learning

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