Early childhood care and development is a proven and powerful investment in national well-being and future
economic prosperity.
In the United States, an alarming number of children are at great risk of failure in school because they are not getting the
care and support they need in their early years.
Compared to other wealthy countries, the United States is losing ground in educational attainment.
In the developing world, nearly 40 percent of all children under 5 fail to reach their potential in cognitive development
because of poverty, poor health and nutrition and deficient care.
The future of humankind will be defined by how well mothers today are able to raise the next generation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Child development experts – from local teachers to Nobel Prize winners – are telling the world about the critical importance of investing in the first five years of children's lives. But with few exceptions, the political will to take action for mothers and young children is the missing ingredient in this proven recipe for success.
To help ensure more children succeed in school and in life, Save the Children has developed the following recommendations:
Invest in better health care for mothers and young children.
Provide coaching and information to help new mothers and fathers give their young children the best possible chance to succeed.
Improve training and support for early child care providers and preschool teachers.
Expand early learning opportunities for children affected by AIDS, conflict and natural disasters.
Increase government support for proven early childhood development solutions in the United States and
around the world.
