Early Childhood Development and Education in China : Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Improving Future Competitiveness
Neuroscience and longitudinal studies of early childhood development and education (ECDE) found that prenatal care and experiences from birth to the first six years (0-6), affect physical and brain development of children, and thereby the cognitive...
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| Format: | Policy Note |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2014
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2011/01/13829205/early-childhood-development-education-china-breaking-cycle-poverty-improving-future-competitiveness http://hdl.handle.net/10986/18375 |
| Summary: | Neuroscience and longitudinal studies of
early childhood development and education (ECDE) found that
prenatal care and experiences from birth to the first six
years (0-6), affect physical and brain development of
children, and thereby the cognitive and socio-emotional
development in subsequent stages of their lives. Lack of
access to nutrition and health care, insufficient
stimulating human interaction, and non-enrollment in
pre-primary education are associated with lower educational
attainment and achievement, which, in turn, reduce life-time
earnings and potentially contribute to disruptive behavior
to society. Investing in ECDE yields the highest economic
returns because early learning and formation of good habits
and social skills are far more productive than later,
remedial education and training. The internal rates of
return of rigorously evaluated ECDE programs range from 7
percent to 18 percent, which are higher than the rates of
return to financial capital. Investments in ECDE are one of
the most cost-effective strategies to break the
inter-generational transmission of poverty, and to improve
productivity and social cohesion in the long run. The report
considers it highly desirable to universalize ECDE for the
0-6 age group in the long run because it equalizes
opportunities and enhances the country's future
competitiveness. But the report focuses on the medium term
and advocates a two-pronged, pro-poor approach in the 12th
Five Year Plan (2011-2015). |
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