Recent studies indicate that children who undergo early childhood programs are expected to do better in various aspects of their life when they enter into adulthood; thus Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a long term worthwhile investment. According to the research conducted by National Institutes of Health; by the time children reached adulthood, graduates of an intensive early childhood education program especially for poor children showed higher educational attainment, lower rates of serious crime and imprisonment, and lower rates of depressive symptoms than did non-participants in the program.

“These results strongly suggest that comprehensive early education programs can have benefits well into adult life,” said Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the NIH institute that funded the study. “A comparatively small investment early in life is associated with gains in education, economic standing, mental health, and other areas.”

Therefore investment in ECD programs is worthwhile since it pays off during all phases of a person’s life; children who have experienced ECD programs undergo a positive impact in different aspect. Their social interaction improves; they experience a positive change in the physical and stable mental growth. Besides that, ECD graduates have better educational outcomes as well. Statistics also indicate that ECD programs that result in this kind of long term impact are characterized by parental involvement in school affairs and teachers who are well trained and well compensated which increases motivation levels of performance in teachers.

Hence ECD programs ensure that children grow up into healthy, confident, capable and caring individuals. They enable children to lead fulfilling lives into adulthood and contribute to their families and society at large.