Introduction and Overview

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511499753.001

1 - Introduction and Overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 July 2009

Neal Halfon ,

Kathryn Taaffe McLearn and

Mark A. Schuster

Edited by

Neal Halfon ,

Kathryn Taaffe McLearn and

Mark A. Schuster

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Neal Halfon: Affiliation:
Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Professor of Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health University of California, Los Angeles; Director of the Institute for Children, Families, and Communities
Kathryn Taaffe McLearn: Affiliation:
Senior Fellow and Research Scientist The National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Mark A. Schuster: Affiliation:
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, and Associate Professor of Health Services, School of Public Health University of California, Los Angeles; Senior Natural Scientist RAND; Director UCLA/RAND Center for Adolescent Health Promotion
Neal Halfon: Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles
Kathryn Taaffe McLearn: Affiliation:
Columbia University, New York
Mark A. Schuster: Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles

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Summary

RECENT PERSPECTIVES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD

The well-being of young children has become a popular topic as expansions of knowledge in the neuro- and behavioral sciences have documented the importance of the first three years in children's long-term learning, behavior, and health. Recent scholarly books and national research conferences have examined these issues from a variety of perspectives. In 1997, the National Academy of Sciences convened a three-year, multidisciplinary commission to examine and report on the science of early childhood. In 1999, RAND issued Investing in Our Children, which documented the benefits and savings associated with targeted early intervention programs. In 1996, 1997, and 2000, Time and Newsweek devoted entire special issues to the development of the young child. In 1997, the White House hosted conferences on childcare and on early child development and learning. Federal agencies have signaled their interest by expanding data collection on the early life predictors of educational success and supporting expansions of the Head Start program for children from birth to age 3. Numerous states have initiated aggressive early childhood agendas, focusing on childcare, health care, universal preschool, home visiting, and family support (Cauthen et al. 2000). All these efforts are evidence of a recognition of the importance of early child experience and a growing commitment to public policy that fosters the healthy development of our youngest children.

Type: Chapter
Information: Child Rearing in America
Challenges Facing Parents with Young Children
, pp. 1 - 18

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511499753.001 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2002

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