[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 50 (Monday, April 12, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I rise today to call attention to the 
importance of quality early childhood education programs throughout our 
country that promote and support the growth and development of our 
Nation's youngest citizens.
  Research has shown that the quality of early relationships and 
experiences contributes to school success, overall health, and future 
workforce productivity. During a young child's life, there are 700 new 
neural connections formed every second, thus creating the foundation 
for learning and more complex brain development. In fact, more than 85 
percent of the foundation for communication: critical thinking, problem 
solving and team work, is developed by age 5--before children enter 
kindergarten.
  To reach their full potential, these connections need to be nurtured 
with positive and developmentally appropriate cognitive and social-
emotional stimuli. Quality prekindergarten programs reduce placement in 
special education, lower the risk of grade retention, and decrease 
incidences of juvenile crime. Improving the success rate of high school 
graduation and adult earning potential is critical for our Nation's 
children. The implementation of quality early childhood education 
programs results in both social and economic benefits for the child 
into adulthood, as well as for the community and the Nation as a whole. 
Even conservative estimates yield a benefit/cost ratio of 2.36 and a 
significant long term increase in the gross national product.
  Quality early childhood programs require the commitment and 
dedication of a professional early childhood education work force. 
Today, I recognize not only the importance of quality early childhood 
education programs throughout our country but also the professionals 
who have dedicated their careers to ensuring the highest levels of 
achievement in early learning for our Nation's children, thus creating 
lifelong benefits for the child, family, community, and country.

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