The New York Times: How to break the cycle of poverty?

University of California professor of public policy Professor David Kerb says public investment in early preschool education for children from poor families can break the cycle of poverty.

Researchers tracked 58 children from poor African-American families aged three to four who enrolled in pre-school classrooms starting in 1962, and confirmed that this experience shaped the later life of those children, Kirb said in an article in The New York Times.

When compared to peers who did not attend preschool classes, the researchers found, they were more likely and fortunate to graduate from high school, attend university, occupy jobs, own a home and a car, less smoke, drink alcohol, take drugs, receive social care, or go to jail. He commented on the findings, saying their importance was striking.

Other studies
Early enrollment in pre-school is not the only early experience in life that has been reverberating for decades, he said, adding that other studies suggest that prenatal care for a mother and having her baby under good tests and providing enough food for them can change. Children's lives by staying healthy, going to high school, graduating in college, getting paid well etc.

Many of those children the researchers tracked decades ago had children, and scientists began to wonder whether the benefits given to one generation could be passed on to the next generation.

He explained that the offspring of those children are now more likely to have graduated from high school, enrolled in university and found a job, and are less likely to have a criminal record than their peers whose parents did not have the same opportunity.

Kirib once again commented that children - who attend preschool - are willing to become good parents and tend to enroll their children in early education programs.