This article doesn't exactly try to reinvent the wheel when it describes the value of investing in children at an early age. It states many well known facts that are understood to point to the value of investment in early childhood development. The fact that the brain does a tremendous amount of development by age 5 and that children who receive consideration and quality care when they are younger have increase outlooks in regards to future wellbeing. The article points to high quality preschool programming in Colorado as one of its primary examples for increased future wellbeing. Essentially, the article's main thrust could be summarized by one of the thoughts given, "investing early is key."
What makes this article compelling though it's the side of the coin the persuasion comes from. The perspective taken is from the side of persuading businesses to become increasingly involved in investing and supporting high quality childhood care as this stands to benefit their interests in the future. Not only does the provision of excellent preschools create a stronger future workforce, but as the article argues, the investment of businesses in the community creates additional incentive to attract high caliber employees and provide for the working parents. An investment towards this future fights against pragmatism in selecting convenient childcare services/preschools instead of options that have proven to possess high efficacy.
I personally found this article interesting because it takes a stance from an economic standpoint. The interest in these issues from the financial side of things can only bode positively for the future of child welfare because as we all know, money is what ultimately creates long lasting change. It's an exciting prospect to begin to witness the business community get increasingly involved in the provision of early childhood intervention that excels. This early stage of life cannot be overlooked and while not completely determining the outcome of children, plays as significant of a role as any other form of an investment.
This article goes along with the Trauma-Informed Systems of Care article I posted. The main point of both articles is investing in / taking care of our children. I think it's great that businesses are being targeted because they can supply the funding to make the needed changes. I agree that investing early is key, but I know it is hard to understand when you have to wait to see the change!
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