Charles Ungerleider, Professor Emeritus, The University of British Columbia
[permission to reproduce granted if authorship is acknowledged]
Rapid cognitive, emotional, and social development occurs during the first years of a child's life. During this period, children start to learn about the world, form relationships, and acquire knowledge that they will use throughout life. The quality of the environments in which they grow, particularly in early childhood, can significantly influence their developmental trajectories and their life outcomes. High-quality childcare is linked to better short, medium, and long-term outcomes for children.
A high-quality early childhood environment equips children with the foundational skills necessary for school. The US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Childhood Research Network conducted a comprehensive study in 2002 that demonstrated this critical correlation. According to the NICHD, children who spent their early years in high-quality care environments exhibited superior cognitive abilities and social skills compared to those who did not (NICHD Early Childhood Research Network, 2002). These children exhibited increased language skills, better problem-solving capabilities, and were more skilled at social interaction, skills that are important for a successful school experience.
While high-quality early childhood environments are important for all children, childcare programs for children who may be at risk can yield even more pronounced benefits. The economist James Heckman argues that early interventions can dramatically improve outcomes for children living with disadvantages. Heckman argues that such programs are positively associated with academic achievement and negatively associated with externalizing behaviour and involvement with the criminal justice system. In other words, children involved in these programs not only perform better academically but also tend to exhibit less disruptive behaviour and are less likely to become involved with the justice system later in life.
The benefits of high-quality early childhood environments extend into adulthood. For instance, the Perry Preschool Study, a well-known longitudinal study, showed that individuals who attended high-quality preschools in their early years had higher earnings, were more likely to hold a job, had committed fewer crimes, and were more likely to have graduated from high school than those who did not attend such preschools (Schweinhart et al., 2005). These long-term benefits further emphasize the necessity of high-quality early childhood environments in setting children on a successful life trajectory.
High-quality early
childhood environments play an instrumental role in shaping children's futures.
The evidence, as demonstrated by studies from the NICHD, Heckman, and others,
clearly shows that such environments significantly contribute to children's
school readiness, academic achievements, social and cognitive well-being, and
long-term outcomes. Investing in high-quality early childhood care and
education should be a priority for all societies because early childhood care
and education produce benefits for the individuals, communities, and the nations
that provide them.