Preface B uilding policies for the early years There is no better window of opportunity to make a lasting impact on human lives. During the early years of life, a child develops faster than at any other time: every second, more than one million neural connections are formed in the brain.1
Photo: Jon Spaull/Bernard van Leer Foundation
At this vital stage of development, babies and toddlers are literally shaped by their experiences, and are almost completely dependent on caregivers, such as parents, who mediate those experiences. Therefore, the behaviours of caregivers have a defining impact on the child. Young children around the world face significant barriers to healthy development, such as poor access to healthcare and limited opportunities to learn. Policymakers can help caregivers break down those barriers, from the provision of early childhood services to the design of public spaces. With the right support, governments can help babies and toddlers reach their full potential.
In numbers
USD 1bn per day the cost of not breastfeeding to the world economy2
4
1 in 2
pre-school-age children are not enrolled in formal education globally3
USD 4–9
estimated return for every dollar spent on high-quality early years programmes4
