Early Child Development from Measurement to Action A Priority for Growth and Equity

by Young, Mary Eming; Richardson, Linda

• ISBN13: 9780821370865
• ISBN10: 0821370863
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-08-22
• Publisher: World Bank Publications

Summary

Prosperity in the world today depends on societies' nurturing of young children. Quality care (stimulation, health, and nutrition) during ages 0 - 5 has a decisive and long-lasting impact on a person's development, ability to learn, and capacity to regulate emotions. Cognitive and noncognitive (social and emotional) skills, set early in life, determine later success. New research in neurobiology and the behavioral and social sciences is converging to enhance this understanding of early child development. Recently, researchers noted epigenetic effects in brain development- the interaction of environment (early experiences) with genetics to shape brain structure and function-that with proper nurturing would enable people to have competence to create prosperous, sustainable, tolerant, nonviolent, and democratic communities.The World Bank recently hosted a symposium on the priority of early child development for economic growth and equity. The participants urged application of population-based tools and measures to assess the outcomes of children's early years and children's readiness for school. This approach, which shifts the focus from measures of disease, dysfunction, and mortality, is already yielding essential data for designing intervention programs, identifying children at risk, and leveraging policy and investment-to improve the possibilities for all children globally.'Early Child Development: From Measurement to Action', derived from the symposium, is a valuable resource for policy makers, economists, donors, and investors, as well as researchers and practitioners in early child development. It summarizes the current neuroscience on early child development and major longitudinal studies, the rationale and urgency for greater investment, and countries' innovative funding strategies. This book is also available on CD-Rom.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. vii
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Introduction
The ECD Agenda: Closing the Gap	p. 1
Investment in ECD-Benefits for Society and Children
A Productive Investment: Early Child Development	p. 17
Early Child Development Is a Business Imperative	p. 33
Experience-based Brain Development: Scientific Underpinnings of the Importance of Early Child Development in a Global World	p. 43
Evaluating ECD Outcomes-Lessons from Longitudinal Studies
Outcomes of the High/Scope Perry Preschool Study and Michigan School Readiness Program	p. 87
The Abecedarian Experience	p. 103
Monitoring ECD Interventions-Country Experiences
Colombia: Challenges in Country-level Monitoring	p. 131
Step by Step: A Multicountry Perspective on Implementing and Monitoring ECD Programs	p. 155
Canada: Longitudinal Monitoring of ECD Outcomes	p. 167
The Early Development Instrument: A Tool for Monitoring Children's Development and Readiness for School	p. 183
Financing of ECD Initiatives-Innovations
Jamaica: Recent Initiatives in Early Childhood Policy	p. 205
Brazil's Millennium Fund for Early Childhood	p. 215
Dominican Republic: Competitive Fund for Educational Innovations	p. 225
Indonesia: Public Financing of Block Grants for Privately Delivered Services	p. 233
Looking to the Future-The Next 5 Years
Measuring Child Development to Leverage ECD Policy and Investment	p. 253
Index	p. 293
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