In tight economic times, it is wise to ask where tax money is best spent. What investments have the greatest return on investment (ROI)? In a presentation at the University of Delaware, Audrey Noble, professor of education and director of the University of Delaware Education Research and Development Center made this compelling claim:
“Early education is one of the best investments we can make. Each dollar spent on early education saves society about $4 to $7 down the road in other costs, such as incarceration and Medicaid.” (UDaily)
The savings are not limited to incarceration and Medicaid. Early intervention for developmental delays that occurs before a child's third birthday can dramatically influence the extent - or even need for - special education in the school years. Consequently, the social benefits for children who receive early intervention can be even greater than the cost savings.
Since this conference was directed at policy decisions, it was considering governmental expenditures and savings. However, the benefits to parents are similar. Time (and sometimes money) invested in understanding and nurturing healthy development during those critical first years has a better ROI than almost any other investment you can find.
So, if you could spend $1 that would save you $4 to $7 in the future, would you do it? If you could invest a few minutes a week in understanding your child's development to provide appropriate engagement, would you do it?
