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Executive Summary

Children’s brains develop at an extraordinary rate during the first few years of their lives, particularly from birth to age four. In normal conditions, a baby’s brain will double in size during the first year of life and grow to 90 percent of its adult size by age five. The brain development that occurs during these early years provides the foundation, or hardware, for all future development. Children who grow up in healthy and supportive environments tend to develop more neural connections and demonstrate higher cognitive and socio-emotional intelligence later in life than those who grow up in lacking supportive environments.

Because of the importance of brain development in early childhood, economists have identified investments in early childhood development as one of the most cost-effective public expenditures. High quality early childhood policies can promote healthy brain development and avoid costly learning delays and health problems later in life. In the long-term, these policies have been tied to the creation of a capable and productive labor force. Every dollar invested in programs supporting early childhood development generates a return on investment of as little as $3 to as much as $17 per dollar invested. Researchers have identified several early childhood development programs that are especially important for stimulating brain development: home visiting programs, parenting education classes, quality child care, and preschool or pre-Kindergarten classes. Broader programs that mitigate poverty and food insecurity and promote safe housing and access to health care are also important in reducing the stressors that ultimately affect the parent-child relationship and subsequent brain development of young children, but are not addressed by this report.

Texas home visiting programs provide parents with information and resources so that they can provide the best care for their children. Texas supports a variety of home visiting programs that have proven successful in improving school readiness, decreasing child maltreatment, and achieving other positive outcomes. The report offers a number of recommendations for improving the reach and effectiveness of these programs including:

• Increase funding for home visiting programs and expand services;
• Expand Family Connects;
• Train home visitors on how to screen for and address maternal depression.

Quality child care and preschool (or pre-Kindergarten) classes provide safe and stimulating care for children during the workday and are associated with increased school readiness and longterm socio-emotional and health benefits. Texas currently administers its subsidized child care program through the Texas Workforce Commission and funds half-day preschool through local school districts. The report offers a number of recommendations for improving the quality and effectiveness of child care and preschool in Texas including:

• Designate one agency to administer, fund, and manage programs that support early childhood education;
• Increase participation of child care providers in Texas Rising Star quality rating program and further incentivize quality care;
• Reallocate funds to the High Quality Pre- Kindergarten Grant Program.

Given the valuable insights that the science of early childhood brain development has provided to our understanding of not only child, but also adult outcomes, the report further suggests that individuals who work with families with young children, including employees of the Texas Workforce Commission and Department of Family Protective Services as well as home visitors, parenting educators, child care workers, and preschool teachers, should be encouraged to take a course on early childhood brain development.