Positive Results for Early Head Start

The Department of Health and Human Services recently released the results of a study of the Early Head Start Program. The Early Head Start program is designed for infants and toddlers of low-income families. The study watched 3,000 infants, toddlers, and their families from diverse backgrounds. Researchers discovered that Early Head Start helped children and their families in many ways. Three-year-olds who participated in Head Start developed better language and intellectual skills than other three-year-olds who did not participate. Participating youngsters had fewer learning difficulties later on and had higher scores on standardized tests. Parents of these children also benefited by developing positive parenting habits. These parents were found to have:

• Read to their children more often;
• Punished their children less frequently;
• Helped their children acquire new skills; and,
• Furthered their education and careers.

Researchers found that African American families, teen parents, and parents suffering from depression received the most benefits from the program.

The report is online at www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_news.html, the website for the Administration for Children and Families.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201, 202.619.0257 (voice), 877.696.6775 (toll free), www.hhs.gov (website), hhs.mail@hhs.gov (email).