The Foundations of Long-Term Human Development: Early Childhood’s Untapped Potential

Why Invest In Early Childhood?

Scientific research continues to reveal that the earliest years of life form the essential bedrock for cognitive, emotional, and social development. According to longitudinal cohort studies, up to 90% of neural connections are formed in the first five years (Heckman, 2011).

Data

• UNESCO: $1 invested in early education returns $13 over a lifetime in social and economic benefits.

• OECD: Early interventions can reduce societal inequalities by up to 32% over two generations.

Strategic Implications

Prioritizing high-quality, accessible early childhood education is key to sustainable progress and social stability for the next 50 years. Society must move beyond reactive policy and instead think in terms of decades.

Citation

Heckman, J. (2011). The Economics of Inequality: The Value of Early Childhood Education.