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 What Reading Practitioners Need to Know about

Neurology & Human Development:The Developmental Impact of Early Experience

Katy Anís, Save the Children

Peck Gee Chua, University of Minnesota

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OVERVIEW

A. Introduction

B. Key facts on brain growth & development

C. ECD evidence & rate of return on investment

D. Current state & future possibilities

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A. Introduction

Current focus on grades 1-4

Improving reading skills for 100 millionchildren in primary grades by 2015 - USAID

Evidence showsLanguage interventions BEFORE school entry can make

maximum impact

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B. Key Facts about Brain Growth & Development

Sensitive & Critical Period for Development

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Why early years bring incredible opportunities

Rapid brain development in early childhood through development of 

synapse connections.

Source: Center on the Developing Child Harvard University, 2011

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Early Language Stimulation

Source: Hart & Risley. Meaningful Differences in Everyday Experiences of Young American Children , 1995.

Vocabulary growth in the first 3 years

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Vocabulary difference by age 6 in Ecuador

By 6 years old, children show marked cognitive differences.

Source: Hart & Risley. Meaningful Differences in Everyday Experiences of Young American

Children, 1995.

Source: Adapted from Paxson and Schady (2007)

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• Impact evaluation study by the World Bank 

• On Save the Children ECD programs in Mozambique

Study shows positive impact for children enrolled in preschool

24% more likely to be enrolled in primary schoolSpent 46% more time on school-related activities

(Martinez, Naudeau, and Pereira, 2012)

C. ECD Evidence & Rate of Return on Investment

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Invest early, maximize results

Source:

Heckman andLaFontaine (2007)

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Return on Investing Early

• Reduce disparities and prevent future reading failures.

• Decrease probability of disadvantaged children persistingthrough poverty.

• Increased school readiness.

higher enrollments in primary school

less wastage and repetition of academic years

fewer drop outs

increased impact on learning achievement

Sources: High/Scope Perry Preschool Program, The Abecedarian Early Intervention Project

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D. Current State & Future Possibilities

• Minimal and spotty, especially for children whoare the most disadvantaged, economically,

linguistically and ethnically.

• The OECD estimates a minimum of 1% GNP isneeded to ensure quality ECD services.

•However, many governments appear reluctant tomake the initial investment.

Early childhood is the most effective and cost-effective time to ensure that children are

well prepared - The Lancet 2011 Child Development 

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What’s Next?

The importance of early developmental experience onthe ability to read and write (and beyond) in later years

CognitiveSocio-

emotional

Physical Language and

communication