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Thousands of tiny hand prints and other drawings are hanging with pride in the rotunda of the state Capitol. Today marks the first day of Kids Week in Tallahassee. The week-long event is designed to attract attention and funding for kids issues. David Lawrence of the Children’s Movement of Florida says catching problems earlier than later are most effective and less costly.

“We know the research that says a hundred children at the end of first grade are lousy readers. Eighty-eight of the 100 are still lousy readers at the end of fourth,” said David Lawrence of The Children’s Movement of Florida. “It’s a total wake-up call for you if you want to have a country that feels safe and secure and competitive you’ll get a lot better shot fixing this than you will at the fourth or the seventh or the ninth grade.”

One researcher speaking at the opening luncheon told the audience that neglected children are 80 times more likely to become problems for society when they become adults.