front cover of the book the early childhood promise. there are legos on the top and blocks on the bottom with teal and pink writing.

The Early Childhood Promise: Sparking Change for Parents, Early Childhood Professionals, and Policymakers

Aimee Ketchum & Crystal Loose

Discover the profound impact of early childhood development with "The Early Childhood Promise, bringing decades of expertise to this essential guide, offering insightful strategies and evidence-based solutions to make a difference in the lives of our youngest learners.

From the importance of play to the critical role of early education, this book dives deep into the challenges and opportunities that shape a child's earliest years. Ketchum and Loose provide actionable advice and real-world examples to help every child achieve their full potential, regardless of their starting point. Whether you're a parent, educator, medical professional, or advocate, "The Early Childhood Promise" equips you with the knowledge and tools to make a lasting difference in the lives of young children.

Join the movement to ensure every child has the best start possible. "The Early Childhood Promise" is more than a book; it's a call to action for a brighter, more equitable future.

Praise for The Early Childhood Promise:

“If you are an advocate for children, this is the book for you. The Early Childhood Promise provides valuable information and resources for parents, teachers, and early childhood educators who are truly invested in children. This engaging book provides current research-based information on a variety of critical topics, including kindergarten readiness, the value of play, the importance of limiting screen time, and the need for high-quality childcare. Everyone who believes that our children are the future should read this book.”
~ Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, & Author, Retro Baby and Retro Toddler

“This book is spot on! The research, data and solutions to the problems are clear. The family stories alone should wake up any American who cares about babies, children, families and the future of this country. We do, indeed, need a serious systematic paradigm shift with regard to early childhood and early childhood education!”
~ Dr. Kelly K. Cartwright Ed.D., Superintendent of Dover Area School District, PA

“As a parent, educator, principal, and early childhood advocate, I found The Early Childhood Promise to be an eye-opener. It eloquently highlights the critical importance of the first five years in a child's development and the invaluable role parents and caregivers play during this period. Dr. Ketchum and Dr. Loose make a compelling case for the necessity of quality early education and childcare, emphasizing how intertwined care and education are. Through real-world examples, The Early Childhood Promise sheds light on the decline in preschool and kindergarten readiness, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and stresses the need for early intervention for developmental delaysThis comprehensive work calls for systemic changes and community involvement to ensure every child gets the best start possible. It is an essential read for parents, educators, and policymakers committed to improving early childhood education and care.”
~ Adam M. Penning Ed. D., Principal

“As an elementary school teacher, every sentence in The Early Childhood Promise resonates with what I see and do in the classroom each day. This book is a must read! I’ve spent the past twenty-eight years teaching young children. Today, children come to school less ready to learn than ever before. Aimee and Crystal answer this question with great knowledge of and experience with babies and young children, as well as action steps each of us can take today to provide more hopeful futures for the youngest among us.”
~ Sue Hertzog, 2nd Grade Teacher

Aimee Ketchum

About The Author

Dr. Aimee Ketchum is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 24 years of experience working in pediatrics. She currently practices in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UPMC hospital in Lititz where she founded the NICU retired nurse cuddler program and teaches baby massage to nurses and families. Ketchum is also academic fieldwork coordinator and assistant professor of early childhood development in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program of Cedar Crest College. Ketchum creates and teaches workshops on early child development through PA Quality Assurance System for pre-school teachers and early intervention practitioners. Ketchum is also the founding director of Aimee’s Babies, LLC and creator of STEM Starts Now digital parenting program. She aims to create a next generation of innovators and problem solvers who are all afforded the ability to start kindergarten on an equitable playing field, giving all children everywhere the best start possible. Ketchum recently published a book “See Occupational Therapists Run” by See Us Run Publishing. This is a workbook to help fellow occupational therapists practice self-care to avoid burnout. Her baby development DVDs and apps have been featured on the Rachael Ray show, iPhone Essentials Magazine and the United Kingdom’s Baby and You Initiative. She was the winner of the 2017 Fine Living Lancaster Innovator Award, and the 2018 Social Enterprise Pitch and her work has been recognized with the prestigious Word Gap Challenge Finalist award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Crystal Loose

About The Author

Dr. Crystal Loose has served in public education for 17 years as a teacher, reading specialist, instructional coach and then as a school district administor. She is currently an Associate Professor at West Chester University and teaches courses in the Early and Middle Grades and Education Leadership Departments. Her research includes early learning environments as well as teacher and principal success and preparedness. She founded a nonprofit, Plant the Seed of Learning, where she uses her research to engage with parents and their children prior to kindergarten entrance in a playgroup setting. Her work with families in Lancaster, PA led to a community building award in 2018-2019. Empowering families and future teachers are her passion; therefore, her work continues to contribute to these areas. She will be expanding her outreach in the city of Philadelphia in 2024.