Smart From The Start
School Success starts early. The Tennessee Department of Education wants to help you to be your child's first and most important teacher. This is the reason the Department has initiated Smart From the Start.
Your child depends on you for a good early start to learning. The attention, the nurturing and the activities you provide in early childhood are essential to the development of linkages with your baby's brain. You can do the job by spending time with your child, talking directly to him/her and reading stories aloud.
Babies need attention, praise and lots of love. They need to hear lots of different words, and they need to be given a part in conversations.
Sudden, loud noises startle babies and cause them stress. Stress blocks learning. Your child will grow and learn more quickly if your home is calm and free of sudden loud noises.
Your child is different from all other babies, and he will develop at his own rate. Children roll over, sit alone, crawl and walk at different times and ages. Don't be too concerned if you child's rate is different from those shown on this site. If you suspect that your child may be falling far behind in learning the Smart From The Start ski lls, talk with your baby's doctor about your concerns. These early years lay the foundation for all further learning.
Please see the year-by-year guides and resources linked to the left. With your help, your baby will be Smart from the Start!
Governor Bill Haslam
