The Smartest Investment

Abstract

The first years of a child's life are fundamentally important. They are the foundation that shapes children's future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general. The education of a young child is a critical issue in to the growth of a nation and in the development of the economy since only a content, well-balanced and well-endowed children may become the basis of a long-sustainable prospering society. Recent research confirms that the first years are particularly important for the development of the child's brain. Investing into the education and development of our children in a most proper way is the assurance that the upcoming generation will reimburse that money. Missing to give our children what they need so as to build up a strong basis for a healthy and productive life means putting our own safety in putting ourselves at risk. The fact that this is the right age to ground the competencies necessary for life is not a question of doubt any more. The grounding of individual life cycle and life management skills requires the communication of knowledge, that of behavioural characteristics, and the development of competencies that one needs in the third millennium.