Brain Growth and Education Funding
We’re three years too late with investments that give every child a fair start in life.
The brain is most receptive to both positive and negative experiences during the first three years of life.
Brain Growth by Age
100%
Percentage of Adult Brain Weight
By age three, a baby’s brain
will reach 80% of adult size.
Many of our most important
building blocks for the future
are laid during this period.
80%
Brain Growth
60%
40%
20%
0%
0
(birth)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
Age in Years
Early Intervention Is More Effective
in Producing Favorable Outcomes
Than Later Remediation
Investments in children have
a good return, but by far,
the highest return is derived
from investments in the first
three years.
Programs targeting
the earliest years
Preschool programs
K-12 schooling
Rates of return
to human capital
investment
College, job training
B-3
4-5
19+
6-18
Age
Source: Heckman, J. (2007)
Brain Growth and Public Education Funding
by Age in Shelby County
Our greatest opportunity
and our current funding are
out of alignment.
We can do better.
Percentage of Adult Brain Weight
100%
Brain Growth
80%
Cumulative Public
Education Funding
60%
40%
Per-Pupil Public
Education Funding
20%
0%
0
(birth)
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
Age in Years
The economics of human potential:
Invest more resources earlier for the greatest impact on the lives of children.
For more information on how to promote optimal brain development in our community’s children, visit
http://theurbanchildinstitute.org.