Early Childhood Development from Measurement to Action: A Priority for Growth and Equity

This publication is based on the discussions of an international conference, held in Washington D.C. in September 2005, the third in a series hosted by the World Bank to focus attention on the importance of investing in early child development (ECD). It summarises current developments in the fields of neuroscience, behavioural and social sciences on the topic, including the benefits for wider society and the rationale for greater investment, the findings of two longitudinal studies undertaken in the United States, country case studies of ECD monitoring programmes, and examples of innovative country funding strategies for ECD programmes.