My youngest son, age 6, is the only one of the three who still allows me to give him affectionate hugs and plant ‘big ones' on his cheek in public. I keep waiting for the day when he allows me to give him a kiss, but then politely wipes his cheek the moment he thinks I've turned my head. Or the day when he refuses my open displays of affection all together. This hasn't happened - yet. And, since he's my baby boy, I'm definitely not rushing time.

I am however delighted by the fact that he still wants me to show up to have lunch with him at school, which is exactly what I did not so long ago. It was delightful as I sat between him and one of his fellow first grade classmates. The cafeteria also was abuzz with some of the school's pre-k and kindergarten students seated at pint-sized tables customized just for them. All of those cherubic, little faces reminded me of my profession as a United Way project manager for early learning programs.

In this role, I get to extol, to various audiences, the urgency and practicality of investing in early education and literacy.

I'm getting ample opportunity to spread the message this month, since April is the national Month of the Young Child, which focuses attention on early child care issues. With more than 90 percent of a child's intellect, personality and social skills formed before age 3, it's easy to explain why the early years of education are the most critical in a child's development. Even so, politically-speaking, it's not always an easy sell. Not even when you consider revised statistics that show for every single dollar invested in quality early care and education, taxpayers will save $13 down the road in terms of remediation, incarceration and welfare programs. This is because students who begin school behind most likely stay behind and are at an exponentially greater risk of dropping out than their counterparts.

Month of the Young Child highlights the needs of young children by celebrating community partnerships, promoting healthy children and families, recognizing early childhood professionals and advocating on behalf of children and families. So, yes, we celebrate little ones because they are so very adorable and make such good lunch dates. But, if we're smart, we'll also celebrate them because it's a wise investment.

Kysa Daniels is a journalist, non-profit professional and mother of three boys. Learn more about early literacy programs by visiting smartstartga.org. For more Adventures in Parenting and parenting tips, e-mail kysa@kysadaniels.com.