Economics of Early Childhood Development

This is a literature survey. Research shows that balanced nutrition and a nurturing and stimulating environment have a strong impact on lifetime well-being and productivity. In the US, many preschoolers face malnutrition, neglect or abuse before school age. Many government programs provide help. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) spent $19 Bil in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and $3.7 Bil on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) spent $18 Bil on health coverage to eligible children. The Children's Bureau in the Administration of Children and Families provides adoption and foster care. Many NGOs and charity organizations also provide help, on the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). However, these programs are for risk mitigation, but insufficient for development. Underprepared children are more likely to face challenges in schools and fewer job opportunities with shorter quality-adjusted life years (QALY). Worse yet, some may be on welfare and even commit crimes. One estimated cost of one poor early childhood development can be as high as $16.6 million dollars! Early childhood development problems are broad with social, environmental and economic dimensions related to UN SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11. Industrial and system engineers can study the economic efficiency of this important social issue and develop framework for potential solutions.