Research

A remarkable explosion of new knowledge about the developing brain and the human genome, linked to advances in the behavioral and social sciences, offers exceptional opportunities that did not exist a decade ago. Science now offers increasing promise as a vehicle for greater understanding of how the foundations of successful adaptation and effective learning in the childhood years lead to better outcomes in academic achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, and successful parenting of the next generation.

The most comprehensive child care study conducted to date to determine how variations in child care are related to children's development.

» Learn more at https://secc.rti.org/

National Institute for Early Education Research - State Preschool Profiles

The 2007 State Preschool Yearbook is the fifth in a series of annual reports profiling state-funded prekindergarten programs in the United States. Tracking these trends is essential, since changes in states' policies on preschool education will influence how successfully America's next generation will compete in the knowledge economy.

» Learn more at http://nieer.org/yearbook/

Great Start Readiness Program

(Formerly known as the Michigan School Readiness Program)

This study measures the effects of Michigan’s School Readiness Program (MSRP) on entering kindergartners’ academic skills using an innovative research model. Language (receptive vocabulary), early literacy and early math skills were assessed in a sample of children from across Michigan. The study found that Michigan’s School Readiness Program has statistically significant and meaningful impacts on children’s early literacy and mathematical development.

» Learn more at http://www.michigan.gov/

America's Vanishing Potential: The Case for PreK-3rd Education

A Report from the Foundation for Child Development - October 2008

» Learn more at http://www.fcd-us.org/

Impacts of Early Childhood Programs

A set of briefs from the Brookings Institution, provide high-quality evidence on several early childhood interventions and their impact on children and families. The interventions include State Pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Model Early Childhood Programs, and Nurse Home Visiting Programs.

» Learn more at http://www.brookings.edu/

National Center for Children in Poverty

The achievement gap for low-income young children starts early in life and is difficult to reverse. What science tells us about brain development, along with what we know from economic analysis, makes it clear that investing in high-quality early care and learning is essential to reducing this gap.

» Learn more at http://nccp.org/

Family, Friend and Neighbor Care

Over the past few decades, research in many fields from education and child development to neuroscience has underscored the importance of early childhood development and what young children need to grow and learn: stable relationships with caring adults who are able to recognize and encourage each child’s natural curiosity and drive to learn. Research has also confirmed that young children thrive when the adults caring for and teaching them are intentional—that is they are learners themselves, about their own and children’s learning and are thus able to connect with children in ways that foster positive growth and development.

» Learn more at http://www.familiesandwork.org/