- May 12, 2026
Dear Editor:
As a voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) educator for 10 years, I have seen firsthand how the foundation for a child's success is built through the conversations they have with one another. My recent research into facilitating dialogue between peers shows that when we move beyond teacher-led instruction and encourage children to negotiate and problem solve together, their language and social development accelerate rapidly.
In our local classrooms, these peer interactions are where "soft skills" like empathy and collaboration are truly formed. To support this growth at home, I have developed a specialized newsletter for parents that provides practical strategies for fostering these same social skills and language habits outside the classroom.
It is vital that our community understands that quality early childhood education is a complex, research driven field. By supporting our local VPK programs and professional development for educators, we are ensuring that Flagler County's youngest citizens learn to communicate effectively before they even reach kindergarten.
Teniyah Christian
Palm Coast
