Letter: Superb new early education center in Farmington

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Congratulations to University of Maine at Farmington President Joseph McDonnell and everyone involved in the creation of the new, state-of-the art Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Education Center .

As a father, grandfather, former state legislator and member of the Maine Children’s Trust, I know firsthand what voluminous research shows — that the first five years of a child’s life are critically important. That is when children build foundations to support all their later cognitive development, their abilities to interact with peers and adults, and self-regulation. When we get it right, amazing opportunities open up for each child’s full potential.

The new Sweatt-Winter Child Care and Early Learning Center is a superb, highly intelligent idea both for Franklin County children and for aspiring teachers of early childhood. When I was a toddler after World War II, I recall being taught in a similar program at “Farmington Teachers College.” Later in grade school our classrooms thrived under student teachers all the way to high school. These energetic and dedicated students helped classroom teachers immensely. They amplified the effectiveness of the town’s education budget and made it possible for every child to receive individual attention whenever needed or helpful. My brother Paul and I received our share. It got us both into Harvard.

I look forward to watching what the new center and its graduates will achieve for themselves and for our communities.

Peter Mills

Cornville