Putting Our Youngest Children First: Building a Movement for High-Quality Early Childhood Education

by Lois Vermilya, Stephen Preskill

Overview

A history of the accomplishments of the University of New Mexico’s Family Development Program that is sure to influence early childhood advocacy networks everywhere.

Since 1985, a grassroots initiative called the Family Development Program (FDP) at the University of New Mexico has championed early childhood education as a long-term way to address poverty, strengthen democracy, and protect the rights of young children. Putting Our Youngest Children First chronicles FDP’s accomplishments, all from the ground up, community by community. With important lessons about collaborative problem-solving and citizen leadership to effect systemic change, Vermilya and Preskill offer proven strategies for mobilizing family and community advocacy to ensure that the education of young children remains one of the nation’s top priorities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826369628
Publisher:	University of New Mexico Press
Publication date:	06/16/2026
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232

About the Author

Lois Vermilya was the director of the Family Development Program at the University of New Mexico for twenty years and is the author of many publications on equity and social justice.

Stephen Preskill is a professor emeritus of education at Wagner College. He is the author of Education in Black and White: Myles Horton and the Highlander Center’s Vision for Social Justice.

Editorial Reviews

“This book makes a transformative contribution to the fields of family and child studies and early childhood education. With its forward-thinking, strength-based, family-centered approach, it presents a framework for cultivating equitable partnerships among families, early educators, higher education faculty, and communities to shape the next generation of early childhood leaders.”— Cathy Huaqing Qi, professor of special education, University of New Mexico

“The Family Development Program has always put listening first. True success comes through the trust and buy-in of those most affected. This book teaches us all a process for how to harness the power of families and communities by centering them at the heart of change-work.”— Jeffrey Capizzano, president of the Policy Equity Group

“New Mexico is now seen as outstanding because of its commitment to young children, but that didn’t just happen. If you care about children, their families, and the professionals who serve them, Putting Our Youngest Children First is a must-read.”— Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute and author of Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

From the Publisher