The Economic Case for Investments in Young Children

1. The Economic Case for Investments in Young Children Rob Grunewald Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

2. Educational Characteristics of the Labor ForceMillions of Workers Age 25 and Over Source: Ellwood (2001)

3. Human Brain DevelopmentSynapse Formation Dependent on Early Experiences Language Higher Cognitive Function Sensory Pathways (Vision, Hearing) FIRST YEAR -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Birth (Months) (Years) Source: C. Nelson (2000)

4. Barriers to Social Mobility Emerge at a Very Young Age 1200 College Educated Parents 600 Cumulative Vocabulary (Words) Welfare Parents 200 16 mos. 24 mos. 36 mos. Child’s Age (Months) Source: Hart & Risley (1995)

5. Risk Factors for Adult Substance Abuse are Embedded in Adverse Childhood Experiences Self-Report: Alcoholism Self-Report: Illicit Drugs 40 16 35 14 % % 30 12 25 10 20 8 15 6 10 4 5 2 0 0 ACEs 0 1 2 3 4 5+ 0 1 2 3 4 Source: Dube et al, 2002 Source: Dube et al, 2005

6. Risk Factors for Adult Depression are Embedded in Adverse Childhood Experiences 5 4 3 Odds Ratio 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5+ ACEs Source: Chapman et al, 2004

7. Risk Factors for Adult Heart Disease are Embedded in Adverse Childhood Experiences 3.5 3 2.5 Odds Ratio 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5,6 7,8 ACEs Source: Dong et al, 2004

8. High/Scope Study of Perry Preschool • In early 1960s, 123 children from low-income families in Ypsilanti, Mich. • Children randomly selected to attend Perry or control group. • High-quality program with well trained teachers, daily classroom sessions and weekly home visits. • Tracked participants and control group through age 40.

9. Perry: Educational Effects Source: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

10. Perry: Economic Effects at Age 40 Source: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

11. Perry: Arrested 5 or More Times Before Age 40 Source: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

12. Perry: Average Number of Months Served in Prison by Age 40 Source: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

13. Perry PreschoolCosts and Benefits Over 62 Years Source: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

14. Perry Preschool — Estimated Return on Investment • Benefit-Cost Ratio = $16 to $1 • Annual Rate of Return = 18% • Public Rate of Return = 16%

15. Benefit-Cost Ratios for Other Longitudinal Studies • Abecedarian Educational Child Care • $4 to $1 • Chicago-Child Parent • $7 to $1 • Elmira Prenatal/Early Infancy Project • $5 to $1

16. Short-Run Benefits • Allow parents to enter workforce • Reduce absenteeism and turnover • Attract businesses

17. Lessons Learned from Research • Invest in quality • Involve parents • Start early • Reach at-risk population • Teach cognitive and noncognitive skills • Bring to scale

18. Moving Forward • Prenatal/early infant home visits for at-risk mothers • Access to health care • Parent education • Quality child care • Access to preschool

20. Role of Business Leaders in Early Childhood Development • Serve as key advocate • Promote best practices for parent employees • Join the public policy discussion

21. Business Leadership in Early Childhood Development • Partnership for America’s Economic Success & Committee for Economic Development • Success By 6 – United Way • PNC Financial Services, Gates Foundation • Minnesota Early Learning Foundation

22. “Although education and the acquisition of skills is a lifelong process, starting early in life is crucial. Recent research – some sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis in collaboration with the University of Minnesota – has documented the high returns that early childhood programs can pay in terms of subsequent educational attainment and in lower rates of social problems, such as teenage pregnancy and welfare dependency.” Remarks by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben S. Bernanke Before the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, February 6, 2007

23. minneapolisfed.org