Early childhood education (ECE) has a big impact on how kids grow and learn, especially as they get older. Research shows that starting early can help children a lot in different ways.

1. Cognitive Skills Development:

   • Kids in ECE programs usually develop better thinking skills. Studies show these kids score about 10 to 20 points higher on IQ tests than those who don’t attend.

2. Academic Achievement:

   • Children who go to good ECE programs are 20% more likely to graduate from high school. They are also 30% more likely to continue their education after high school.

3. Social-Emotional Skills:

   • Programs that focus on social-emotional learning help kids improve their people skills. This can lead to a 12% increase in how well they interact with others, which also boosts their thinking abilities.

4. Long-Term Effects:

   • A long-term study showed that people who attended ECE programs earn about $25,000 more each year by their mid-30s. This highlights how important early education can be for both money and learning.

In summary, ECE plays a vital role in how children develop their thinking skills and sets them up for successful learning throughout their lives.