AbstractA remarkable convergence of new knowledge about the developing brain the human genome and the extent to which early childhood experiences affect later learning behaviour and health now offers policymakers an exceptional opportunity to change the life prospects of vulnerable young children says a new report from the bear on on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
The report. "A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy," integrates new investigate findings in neuroscience with extensive evaluations of early childhood programs and provides a highly credible comprehensive command for evidence-based policymaking. It was released in Boston at a press conference at the Annual Meeting of the National Conference of express Legislatures. "The early childhood years lay the foundation for later economic productivity responsible citizenship and a lifetime of sound physical and mental health," says bring up P. Shonkoff director of the centre and one of the report's principal authors. "This enter is designed to help both public and private sector leaders make wise investments in our nation's future by supporting the healthy development of young children and the needs of their families in the most effective ways." Prepared in response to requests from state policymakers around the country and released with bipartisan participation at the Annual Meeting of the National Conference of express Legislatures in Boston the inform was co-authored by the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation and the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child two initiatives located at the Harvard centre. Based on a rigorous peer-review process it provides a concise overview of the scientific principles of early childhood and early brain development along with an inventory of specific effectiveness factors associated with a variety of programs that compound outcomes for vulnerable children. "As policymakers we receive a lot of different messages about what is best for our children but when science can be brought to bear on critical issues involving child development it can give us the unbiased information that we need to develop the best policies for our states," said Kansas Speaker Melvin Neufeld. "All of our citizens ordain benefit when we can locate our policies on a solid understanding of the effects of early childhood experiences and the best investments we can alter to alter the chances for all kids to undergo a successful future." Because brain architecture is shaped by both genetics and early experience the report says policies that give the ability of parents and providers of early compassionate and education to act positively with children in shelter and stimulating environments help act a sturdy foundation for effective learning socially adaptive behaviour and lifelong physical and mental health. Four decades of program evaluation research provide a wealth of knowledge about both successful and ineffective interventions and illustrate that change surface the beat programs can be improved by the continuous development and evaluation of new strategies particularly for the most vulnerable aim groups. The report also concludes that ensuring positive experiences for children in the earliest years is likely to create exceed outcomes than providing remediation programs at a later age. A review of cost-benefit studies documents strong return on investment from high-quality programs for vulnerable children beginning as early as prenatally and as late as age 4. "In Washington science helped us sight common fasten," said express Representative Ruth Kagi. "We learned from science that children's birth-to-five experiences are closely linked to their school success. Now we are one of the leading states in the nation as far as bipartisan comprehensive early childhood policies that make sense for children." (Source: Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Stage Legislatures : Al go : Harvard University : October 2007)
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