Invest 2000

This article will be the first of a series of articles by Wilkes Community Partnership for Children to help parents and caregivers make the most out of the first 2000 days for children.  

 

There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child shows up for the first day of kindergarten. Experiences during these 2,000 days have a lasting impact on later learning, health and success. That is because children’s earliest experiences literally determine how their brains are wired; lay the groundwork for future health; and form the foundation of the social and emotional skills needed for academic and workplace success.

With quality early childhood education, children will be school ready; have higher graduation rates and grow into productive citizens and valuable employees.

Today, neuroscientists are able to show that early experiences actually shape the architecture of the brain and strongly affect whether a child grows up to be a healthy, productive member of society.

Early experiences are built into our bodies. Not only do they shape the wiring of the brain, they impact how biological systems develop. There is scientific evidence that many common diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease are linked to processes and experiences that occurred in early childhood or even prenatally.

Academic ability alone does not make for a successful adult.  Social and emotional skills, what some refer to as “soft skills” or “character traits” are equally important in determining success in school, in work, and in life according to researchers. Social and emotional skills include the ability to self-regulate, manage mood and control anger, self-motivate, manage relationships, empathy, and the ability to relate to and influence others.

Research indicates that a child’s quality of life and the contributions he or she will make to society can be directly traced to the first few years of life, back to those first 2,000 days. We know through research that high quality early education yields higher graduation rates, reduced crime, higher earnings, and better jobs. As a result, economists estimate that every dollar invested in early education produces a 10% return on investment through increased personal achievement and social productivity.

Early childhood investments produced sustained results at the local, state, and national level and are critical to keeping the United States competitive in a global market.

If you would to learn more about why the first 2000 days matter- check out www.first2000days.org . In addition, Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, a local Smart Start agency, offers a variety of programs designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Wilkes Community Partnership for Children, is a United Way funded agency.