Early Learning and the Economy

Over the past few years, the economy has situated itself in the forefront of the American mindset. Countless politicians, economists, community planners, and mathematicians have tried with no avail to correct our current economic state. Instead, the downward spiral continues putting us further into debt and nudging us ever closer to the “fiscal cliff.”

One economist, however, says that we are approaching the situation from a completely miscalculated angle. James J. Heckman, Nobel Laureate and professor of economics at the University of Chicago, thinks that instead of approaching the economic issues with medicine to cover up the symptoms, we should consider the root of the problem. In his keynote address for the Collaboration for Early Childhood Education entitled, “Building a Productive Workforce and Strengthening the Economy from Birth,” he said that politicians have looked at social problems one at a time instead of attempting to look at the bigger picture.

“Fragmented solutions don’t work, and the problems need to be addressed at the core level,” he said.

Considering studies on economic status, education level, and parental roles, Heckman maintained that the gap in social, intellectual, and emotional preparedness between “privileged” and “underprivileged” children presents itself very early in children. Attempts to close these gaps have been either ineffective, and in some cases, have had adverse effects, such as lower high school graduation rates.

The necessary skills that need development are perseverance, attention, motivation, self-confidence, and self-discipline. By investing in programs that foster these attributes in children, we would be promoting equal opportunity and social fairness.

It is possible that if more funds were put into early education, fewer funds would be needed for juvenile correction, prison, training programs, and other initiatives that assist people in getting themselves out of trouble or economic hardship.   

It is clear that early childhood education is essential for children to become productive members of society. But could investing in early learning over time change some of this nation’s social and economic problems?

Original Article