Early Childhood Education Can Have Big Impacts…Even Decades Later

A recent article in the New York Times  outlines the results of a research study on the impact of early childhood education for poor families. The researchers followed two groups of children in North Carolina beginning in 1972. One group was placed in full time day care where they received meals and early childhood education. The other group received only formula. Researchers then followed the children's educational and health outcomes over the next several decades.

What they found was that the group with full time care showed a significant difference not only in cognitive abilities--by age 30 they were over 4 times more likely to graduate from college-- but also in overall health. The men in the treatment group were less likely to develop hypertension and more likely to have high levels of "good cholesterol." The women were less likely to develop pre-hypertension and more likely to adopt healthy habits such as exercise and eating nutritious foods.

Although the study was small, the impact is striking. Researchers hope this may give more weight to policy makers seeking increased funding for early childhood education in the US.

Here at Lamaze, we promote early childhood education by offering toddler playgroups, Little Scientist playgroups, and along with our partners, Signing Smart and Kindermusik. Any one of these classes gives kids a chance to learn and explore in a safe and friendly setting. We have new sessions of most of these classes starting soon, so check out our website for more details!

The Importance of Early Childhood Education

When you hear the phrase "early childhood education" you might think of kindergarten or elementary school. Recent research shows, however, that the path to school and job readiness begins at birth. A child's brain development is shaped by early experiences, which set the foundation for all future learning.

 According to the Zero to Three organization:

"During the remarkable first three years of life, the brain creates 700 new neural connections every second. Synapse formation for functions such as hearing, language, and cognition peak during this time- before children reach preschool. These peak periods create the important foundation for higher level functions that will be built on top of them. During this sensitive period, early experiences influence whether this important foundation will be strong or fragile. The early years thus present a prime opportunity to positively influence the course of a young child's life."

Investing in early childhood education gives a great bang for the buck, as the diagram below illustrates:

Economists estimate that for every dollar invested in early childhood programs, a savings of anywhere from $3.50 to $17.00 can be expected in future public expenditures.

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor has long believed in the importance of early childhood education, and seeks to provide the resources to help families at this crucial time. Our Parent Toddler playgroups offer a unique opportunity for children and their special adult to spend quality time together playing. Kids can work on gross and fine motor skills, language development, and can practice social skills. Parents can ask questions and get support from the instructors and their peers. 

New Parent Toddler playgroups start in August! If you or someone you know has a 12-36 month old, you can learn more or register for a class by clicking here. On vacation? Join us in September for our fall playgroups. Joining a Lamaze playgroup is a great way boost brain development!

To learn more about the importance of early childhood education, visit the Zero to Three website by clicking here.