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Since two thirds of the country's children reside in the countryside, improving child development services in rural areas is one of China's most pressing concerns. This report details the current situation of children in rural and urban China and identifies problems related to child development. The report also presents evidence of the effect of investment in interventions targeted to the early years, assesses the socioeconomic development of such investment, and outlines a program of interventions in both health and education to improve the outcomes for children in rural China. The proposed program calls for an information campaign to educate rural parents about infant care and development, preparation of children for school, and adequate and appropriate nutrition for young children. Interventions in the early years of life (ages 0-6) have the best chance of permanently enhancing children's cognitive skills, personality, and social attitudes and behavior. Early childhood education programs attack a root cause of poverty by helping to provide poor rural children (especially girls) with a fair start. (Contains 28 references.) (HTH)

Early childhood programs have been shown to enhance school readiness, increase the efficacy of investments in primary schools and human capital formation, foster beneficial social behavior and, thereby, lessen social welfare costs, and promote community development. The World Bank has directed investment toward young children, including supporting immunizations, basic health care, prenatal care, and nutrition services. This report, Chinese, provides an overview of programs around the world targeting children from birth to age eight. Covering both theory and practice, the sections are (in English translation): (1) "The Case for Early Intervention," including the scientific basis, socioeconomic returns, and policy implications; (2) "Approaches to the Development of Young Children," covering program design options and working with nongovernmental organizations and other agencies; (3) "Paying for Child Development Programs"; (4) "Educating Parents"; (5) "Training Caregivers"; (6) "Delivering Services to Children"; (7) "Reforming Formal Education Systems to Include Preschoolers"; and (8) "Educating through the Mass Media." Contains 104 references. (KB)

Early childhood programs have been shown to enhance school readiness, increase the efficacy of investments in primary schools and human capital formation, foster beneficial social behavior and, thereby, lessen social welfare costs, and promote community development. The World Bank has directed investment toward young children, including supporting immunizations, basic health care, prenatal care, and nutrition services. This report, in French, provides an overview of programs around the world targeting children from birth to age eight. Covering both theory and practice, the sections are: (1) "The Case for Early Intervention," including the scientific basis, socioeconomic returns, and policy implications; (2) "Approaches to the Development of Young Children," covering program design options and working with nongovernmental organizations and other agencies; (3) "Paying for Child Development Programs"; (4) "Educating Parents"; (5) "Training Caregivers"; (6) "Delivering Services to Children"; (7) "Reforming Formal Education Systems to Include Preschoolers"; and (8) "Educating through the Mass Media." Contains 104 references. (KB)

Early childhood programs have been shown to enhance school readiness, increase the efficacy of investments in primary schools and human capital formation, foster beneficial social behavior and, thereby, lessen social welfare costs, and promote community development. The World Bank has directed investment toward young children, including supporting immunizations, basic health care, prenatal care, and nutrition services. This report provides an overview of programs around the world targeting children from birth to age eight. Covering both theory and practice, the sections are (1) "The Case for Early Intervention," including the scientific basis, socioeconomic returns, and policy implications; (2) "Approaches to the Development of Young Children," covering program design options and working with nongovernmental organizations and other agencies; (3) "Paying for Child Development Programs"; (4) "Educating Parents"; (5) "Training Caregivers"; (6) "Delivering Services to Children"; (7) "Reforming Formal Education Systems to Include Preschoolers"; and (8) "Educating through the Mass Media." Contains 103 references. (BGC)