Why Invest in Young Children

07/14/2005

In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.
Longinus

UNICEF distributes a leaflet entitled, “Why Invest in Young Children.” This document includes Robert Myers’ eight arguments to support programs of early childhood care and development:

1. A human rights argument: children have a right to live and to develop to their full potential.

2. A moral and social values argument: through children humanity transmits its values. That transmission begins with infants. To preserve desirable moral and social values in the future, one must begin with children.

3. An economic argument: society can benefit economically from investing in child development, through increased productivity and cost savings.

4. A program efficacy argument: the efficacy of other programs (health, nutrition, education and so on) can be improved through their combination with programs of child development.

5. A social equity argument: by providing a “fair start,” (or at least the best possible start) it is possible to modify distressing socio-economic and gender related inqequities.

6. A political argument: children provide a rallying point for social and political actions that build consensus and solidarity.

7. A scientific argument: research evidence demonstrates that the early years are critical in the development of intelligence, personality and social behavior and that there are long term effects associated with a variety of early intervention programs.

8. Changing social and demographic circumstances: the increasing survival of vulnerable children, changing family structures, country to city migration, women in the labor force and other changes require attention to early care and development.

For more information on UNICEF activities and publications, go to www.unicef.org.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.