A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

I. Introduction

This publication focuses on public and governmental attention on the importance of the early years in child development and learning, with special emphasis placed on 10 key lessons.

These 10 key lessons are drawn from current research on child development, and collectively form an argument for careful attention to the early years of life as critically formative. Each of the lessons introduces a piece of information about brain development in easy-to-understand terms, and explains its significance for parents and caregivers.

The 10 lessons are:

1. new brain research underscores the importance of education and the power of effort;
2. early experience affects how brains are "wired";
3. the young brain is a work in progress;
4. every child is unique;
5. children learn in the context of important relationships;
6. other caregivers can meet young children?s needs?but don?t take the place of mom or dad;
7. "small talk" has big consequences;
8. children need many kinds of stimulation;
9. prevention is crucial; and
10. the cradle will rock.

The overall message of the 10 key lessons is that research has shown the early years to be critical for children?s healthy development. The experiences children need during those years are easily provided if we are aware of their needs and recognize the long-term significance of ongoing brain development.

Also mentioned in this publication are policy recommendations. The recommendations advocate a preventive approach to health care. This would include expanded availability of prenatal care, especially for teen mothers; family support and parent education programs that address the unique challenges of fathers, and ideally include home visitations; and a comprehensive approach that yields coherent, coordinated services for young children and their families.

It also highlights the military?s progress made by requiring substantial basic training for caregivers, instituting a career ladder for care professionals, and providing sufficient wages and benefits to reduce staff turnover.

The final section describes how various groups—parents and families, local communities, educational leaders, business leaders, the media, government, and researchers—are succeeding at meeting your children?s needs, and how their efforts can be strengthen.

The key recommendation is for educational leaders to play a more significant role in community-based efforts to support young children?s development. Research suggests that mechanisms are needed for schools to work more closely with preschools and childcare programs—sharing curricula and professional development activities, and smoothing transitions for young children.

[Foreword]

[Early Childhood Development and Learning: Ten Key Lessons]