Importance of early childhood development

Consult these experts’ papers in the According to experts section

“As a society, we cannot afford to postpone investing in children until they become adults, nor can we wait until they reach school age – a time when it may be too late to intervene. The best evidence supports the policy prescription: invest in the very young and improve basic learning and socialisation skills.”
(James J. Heckman)

“Public investment in human capital should be directed towards the very young but the way these investments should be directed in order to be productive is far less clear.” (David Dodge)

“The basic principles of neuroscience indicate that providing supportive conditions for early childhood development is more effective and less costly than attempting to address the consequences of early adversity later.” (Jack P. Shonkoff)

“…epigenetic effects initiated during early development can be prevented or reversed by good nutrition and stimulation.” (J. Fraser Mustard)