Increasing federal investments in early childhood care and education

Abstract

American policy asks the most of parents in a phase of life when they have the least, harming our children, families, and nation in the process. We can do bet-ter by expanding public investments in young children and their families. We can do better by structuring those investments well.Scientific discoveries in recent decades make clear that early childhood experiences influence the physiological processes of human development. Each child’s experiences in the first years after birth influence the lifelong trajectory of his or her cognitive and socioemotional development and health.1 As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation noted, “The first five years of life are critical for children to build the strong educational, mental, and emotional foundation upon which future learning is built. The experiences, including access to quality childcare, during these formative years can significantly influence future outcomes.”