 Street Family Center, once these emotional faculties are strengthened, then children will be more ready to learn (Hancock & Wingert, 1997). Quality preschools may also be able to correct the neurological damage children sustain as a result of depressed, distracted, or abusive parents, especially since children's brains are so malleable at this age (Hancock & Wingert, 1997).
In conclusion, while researchers are continuing to find more and more empirical evidence supporting the importance of the first three years of life, parents and educators must begin to put into practice neuroscientists' astounding findings. The Education Commission of the States (1996) recommends some broad policy changes:
* A major national study should be undertaken to develop special-education policy recommendations based on what is known about how children learn
* State programs should address impediments to brain development, such as poor prenatal care, parental pre- and postnatal smoking, maternal diet and nutrition, and drug use
* Current education practices, such as how and when foreign languages are presented, should be reassessed
* Incentives and requirements for schools of education to understand, research, and expand their teaching of early childhood development should be created
* The quality of child care should be upgraded, and standards for professional development of child-care workers should be created. (p. 3)
Although parents are the child's first and most important teachers, many parents are unable to make the most of their child's critical periods of learning, because of significant changes in both American society and its work force. As more mothers work outside of the home, quality child care becomes a scarce commodity. Consequently, Americans can no longer afford to shift the blame and responsibility of educating their most precious and valuable resources - the children. As citizens, we must insist that our policy and lawmakers enact laws that are child- and family-friendly, and that promote opportunities for responsible parenthood. Also, we must demand quality child care that provides children with the adequate environment and instruction to assist in their healthy and strong development.
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