The first five years matter most for a child’s development. No one understands that more deeply than parents and caregivers, whose insights can guide how our community invests in early learning. Small Magic is launching a nationally acclaimed survey in Jefferson County for anyone raising or caring for a child under age five.
The survey takes less than six minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. Responses will give us and our partners a clearer picture of what families and caregivers know and believe about the early years, from brain development to literacy, social-emotional growth, and more. With that knowledge, we can strengthen programs and ensure families get the support they deserve.
This effort is powered by the SPEAK-CAT, a tool created by the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago. Unlike a standard questionnaire, the SPEAK-CAT adapts in real time to each person’s responses. It draws from more than 1,500 published studies and hundreds of expert interviews, making it one of the most reliable ways to understand how adults think about child development.
Research shows that what parents and caregivers know about early childhood directly shapes how children grow. Everyday actions (talking back and forth with a toddler, singing to a baby, creating simple routines) are brain-building moments. When families have clear, accurate information, children benefit for a lifetime.
Take the survey here until December 19: