By Amy Fagan
The California Democrat convened a daylong gathering of doctors, academics and other early childhood specialists, who shared scientific data on early learning and generally echoed Democrats' assertions about the rewards of investing in early childhood programs.
"We know that these investments in our
children today pay off manyfold in later years. It makes good economic sense.
It is also the right thing to do," said Mrs. Pelosi, adding that she
wanted the advocatesfor children at
the summit to be fully "armed" with scientific data.
Nobel laureate James Heckman, a University of Chicago economics professor and keynote speaker, said data show proof that "it's costly to wait" to educate children because the government will end up spending more money on adult literacy programs, job training and other efforts.
He said the long-term High/Scope Perry Preschool study shows that at-risk children enrolled in a high-quality preschool program eventually earned more money, owned homes in greater numbers and avoided welfare and jail more than their at-risk peers who never attended preschool.
Democratic
presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of
Jack Shonkoff, a
doctor and director of the Center on the Developing Child at
He said a stable, nurturing environment is key. He also advocated more standards for early child care and investment in the earliest stages of child development.
Pat Levitt, a
neuroscientist at
The summit also emphasized health care information as well as public-private partnerships. Several private-sector leaders explained how their companies help children in their communities.
Democrats circulated a list of legislative priorities that included increased investment in preschool initiatives and food stamps, expansion of health care and dental care for impoverished children, and a reversal of some Republican actions, such as a reduction in funds to help authorities enforce child support payments.
