Priorities for a new century of early childhood programs

We highlight emerging directions in early childhood programs that establish them as one of the nation's most important priorities. We first discuss the status of investments in early childhood programs and then review patterns of participation in early childhood programs. Finally, we review advances in knowledge about the effectiveness of early childhood programs and their implications for practice. These advances include (a) increasing evidence for the positive effects of model and large-scale programs, (b) the significance of timing and length of participation, (c) the identification of cognitive, family, and school-related mechanisms by which participation leads to long-term beneficial effects, and (d) evidence of high economic returns from program participation. We illustrate the state of knowledge and practice with research on the Child-Parent Centers and other early education projects.