Research shows that high-quality, early education programs can particularly benefit low-income children and those most at risk of school failure by supporting their healthy development across a range of measures. Because young children learn from their surroundings at all times, early education occurs in multiple settings and has many names---including child care, Head Start, preschool, and pre-kindergarten.
Research demonstrates that it is the quality of a program that is most important to a young child's development.
Indicators of quality that encourage conditions in which children are better able to learn and grow include low teacher-child ratios, small group sizes, qualified teaching staff, positive teacher-child interactions, parental involvement, and access to comprehensive services such as health care and mental health services.
Children born to immigrant parents often face multiple risk factors that would make their participation in quality early education programs particularly beneficial; yet, these children appear less likely to participate in such programs.
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