Economist: A successful child needs investment

March 09, 2012

Creating a successful workforce starts by investing in children before they are 5 by supplementing resources of disadvantaged families, according to Nobel Laureate economist James Heckman.

In a time of shrinking budgets, massive cuts and inequality in services, Heckman argued the way to make true change is to invest in character early in a child’s life.

By age 3, gaps in achievement and understanding are set. Statistically, Heckman said, those remain throughout education. To make effective change, the United States needs to start talking about prevention rather than remediation.

Basically, he said focusing on building children who have successful social-emotional skills, cognitive skills and are in good health allows for success in the future.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=230160&title=Economist:%20A%20successful%20child%20needs%20investment