As the importance of early childhood investments has become increasingly well understood, more and more interventions seek to improve parental engagement with their children. These interventions most often target mothers. But what about fathers? How much do they do for children in early childhood, and how effective have efforts been to help them do more? In a new review, we … [Read more...] about What Do Fathers Do? Five Findings on the Role of Fathers in Early Childhood
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International Day of Play: What Is Play-Based Learning, and How Can We Promote It with Innovation?
Play-based learning is, in essence, learning through play. This pedagogical approach during early childhood stimulates physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Play improves brain structure and promotes executive function, enabling children to pursue goals and increase their ability to concentrate. On International Day of Play, we highlight the importance of … [Read more...] about International Day of Play: What Is Play-Based Learning, and How Can We Promote It with Innovation?
The Impact of Working with Families on the Development of the Most Vulnerable Children
Programs working with families through group visits and/or group sessions have shown significant impacts on children's development – both in the short term through cognitive and language improvements and in adulthood through improved academic and work performance. Conceptualizing and implementing programs of this type from scratch can be costly and challenging, especially … [Read more...] about The Impact of Working with Families on the Development of the Most Vulnerable Children
Unequal From the Beginning (…and for Quite Some Time): A Longitudinal Study of Socioeconomic Gaps in Early Childhood in 5 Latin American Countries
The first five years of life are a unique window of opportunity: extensive research confirms the lasting effect of investments during this period on later economic success and well-being, including labor market earnings and risky behaviors in adulthood. This is why early childhood development (ECD) policies have an unparalleled rate of effectiveness to strengthen human capital … [Read more...] about Unequal From the Beginning (…and for Quite Some Time): A Longitudinal Study of Socioeconomic Gaps in Early Childhood in 5 Latin American Countries
Childcare Is Good for Mothers, and It’s Good for Kids, Too
Programs that provide care for children are good for women’s economic activity. More than 95 percent of studies in low—and middle-income countries show this, and studies in high-income countries show a similar pattern. For example, providing preschool in Argentina boosted mothers’ full-time employment. Providing daycare in Brazil boosted mothers’ work in the city of Sao Paulo … [Read more...] about Childcare Is Good for Mothers, and It’s Good for Kids, Too