Investing in Early Childhood

Abstract

A major puzzle of our times is the lack of any serious progress in equal opportunities, despite so much effort invested in the pursuit thereof. Tofully understand why, we need to identify more precisely the mechanisms at work. What is now well understood is that educational reforms, no matter how progressive and egalitarian in design, are institutionally illequipped to break the Gordian Knot of social inheritance. Developmental psychology has shown that the crucial cognitive and behavioural foundations for learning are cemented very early in childhood. What occurs in the preschool ages is fundamental for children’s ability and motivation to learn when they subsequently embark on formal education. The imprint of social origins is therefore already firmly established before schools play any major role in our lives. The logical conclusion is that we must centre our attention more on what happens within the family than on education policy.