What is the problem?

The first five years of life are particularly critical. This is when children develop basic learning patterns and abilities that they will use for the rest of their lives. Sadly, the playing field is not level for all children.

Research shows that children who face the following hardships in their first five years are more prone to developmental delays that can cause long-term deficits in school achievement:

• Lack of lack stable, consistent, and nurturing relationships with parents and caregivers

• Poor access to healthcare and proper nutrition

• Little or no exposure to age-appropriate learning activities

Clear evidence now links high-quality early childhood care and education to better health as well as emotional and cognitive development – all critical factors that determine a child’s readiness to succeed in kindergarten, elementary school, and beyond.

Building blocks of school readiness

Across the country, educators and policymakers are now looking to early childhood for opportunities to close the achievement gap.

Studies such as the Abecedarian Project and the Chicago Child-Parent Center Longitudinal Study show that children exposed to a nurturing, stimulating environment in the first five years of life achieve higher results in elementary and secondary education. These children also grow up to become more successful adults.

These studies also show that high-quality childcare settings improve a child's classroom, social, and thinking skills; language ability; and math skills. These benefits persist from the preschool years into elementary school. Long-term effects include:

• Significantly higher high school graduation and secondary education enrollment rates

• Higher employment rates

• Lower teen pregnancy rates (particularly among low-income, at-risk children)

In response to these findings, state and local governments are investing more resources toward improving young children's early learning experiences, to help prepare more children to achieve in the K-12 system. Examples of activities that promote school readiness include:

• Higher-quality childcare
• Professional development for caregivers
• Preschool programs
• Curriculum standards
• Healthcare and social services wrap-around programs
• Parent education

The most successful policy initiatives recognize the critical role that parents and communities play in the care and education of young children. These efforts also encourage integration of existing programs, services, and funding streams into a flexible and comprehensive system of supports for children and families.

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Closing the Achievement Gap
NGA Center for Best Practices
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