Early Education Begins At Home
Dr. Marciene Mattleman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Brains develop more in a child's first few years than any other time in life and research shows that there's an achievement gap as early as nine months - those from more advantaged homes and those less fortunate. By two or three years, the gap is more pronounced in vocabulary size and social skills.
With a heightened emphasis on early childhood education and a White House initiative, all over the country nurses, social workers and trained mentors are going into homes offering support to new and expectant mothers on ways to help them be teachers.
One 2012 study found that children who were involved in a home visitation program were less likely than a control group to repeat first grade, and more likely to work well with others and follow directions. Other studies have shown fewer low birth babies, less depression for moms, fewer cases of child abuse and neglect.
Read more in The Washington Post.
