Investing in Early Childhood

January 7, 2012, 4:33 PM

By NICHOLAS KRISTOF, The New York Times

We have to start early. By the time a child reaches kindergarten, it’s not exactly too late. But it’s certainly harder.

My Sunday column looks at new evidence of the importance of early childhood and pregnancy on life outcomes. I’ve been increasingly impressed by the research that suggests that biological mechanisms — such as the way cortisol floods a small child under stress, disrupting brain development — appear to lay the groundwork for social disadvantage later. But I was looking for a peg to write about this, and then the American Academy of Pediatrics provided it by issuing a landmark policy statement endorsing this new science of toxic stress.

One thing I should clarify. I think the evidence is pretty good that investments early on get the most bank for the buck, and that’s one reason I’m a huge fan of early childhood education (and of earlier interventions, such as Nurse-Family Partnership, that support vulnerable women in pregnancy). But that’s not to say that school isn’t important, too. There’s no silver bullet to addressing these issues, only silver buckshot. We need to do more in early interventions, but also more in school — and at every stage thereafter.

Your thoughts?

http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/investing-in-early-childhood/