Incluye bibliografía

Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Pt. 1. The theory: The case for early intervention -- Approaches to the development of young children -- Paying for child development programs -- Pt. 2. The practice: Introduction -- Educating parents -- Training caregivers -- Delivering services to children -- Reforming formal education systems to include preschoolers -- Educating through the mass media -- Bibliography -- Boxes -- Tables

"Early Childhood Development: Investing in the Future" offers the reader an overview of the many programs around the world that are targeting children from birth to the age of eight. These programs are run and supported by national governments, multinational organizations, bilateral donors, and a host of nongovernmental organizations. As part of the Bank ' s Directions on Development series, this report complements others in such areas as identifying cost-effective micronutrients, building human capital, and the cooperation of governmental and private groups in providing basic needs for the poor. The first half of this report focuses on the theory behind early intervention in childhood development. The second half briefly describes a variety of early child development programs now in operation. Each of these programs, no matter its cultural or geographical setting, shares the same goal of improving very young childrens ' development and therefore their prospects for the future. This concise outline of theory, proven results, and present practice in early child development is offered with the aim of showing the world development community how investment in young children can help break the vicious intergenerational cycle of poverty in the developing world.