Brain doubles in size in the first year

April 7

The Urban Child Institute: A child's brain doubles in size in the first year of life, and by age 3 it has reached 80 percent of its adult volume; however, less than 2.5 percent of all public investments in education at all levels go to children under the age of 3.

It was evident on Feb. 28 in the conversation between Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Leadership Academy millennials who shared their ideas for Wharton's first full term as mayor. It was a lively discussion that resulted in the mayor organizing the Mayor's Millennial Corps, a formalized way for next-generation leaders to become advisers and resources for him and his administration. On that day, Wharton talked to the participants about the importance of early childhood development to the future of our city.

Shortly thereafter, Wharton announced that he is creating a 21-member committee to advise him on the city's changing role in education. As the mayor said in his State of the City address: "In two years, city government's role in education will change, but our responsibility won't. Research indicates that what takes place outside of the classroom is just as important in determining academic success as what happens inside it.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/apr/07/guest-column-youngest-citizens-rightfully-lead/