Does High-Quality Preschool Benefit Children? What the Research Shows

Despite research showing that high-quality early education can be extremely beneficial, a large percentage of American children do not attend preschool. In addition, children from low-income families are less likely to enroll in preschool and more likely to attend low-quality early education programs. One reason for this outcome involves low spending on early education. In comparison with many industrialized nations, the United States spends little on preschool education, allowing other countries to be ahead in this area. This paper summarizes the findings of research on preschool education. It also offers a few ideas on improving early education programs and reasons for implementing universal preschool.

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Long-term effects of a system of high-quality universal preschool education in the United States

Childcare, Early Education and Social Inequality ◽

10.4337/9781786432094.00018 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 152-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

W. Steven Barnett

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Preschool Education ◽

The United States ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

High Quality ◽

Universal Preschool

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Culinary Education Programs for Children in Low-Income Households: A Scoping Review

Children ◽

10.3390/children7050047 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Priscilla P. Li ◽

Guisela Mackey ◽

Chishinga Callender ◽

Jayna M. Dave ◽

Norma Olvera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Low Income ◽

Cognitive Theory ◽

Underserved Populations ◽

The United States ◽

Self Report ◽

Education Programs ◽

Culinary Education ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Leader Training

Child obesity in the United States is at an all-time high, particularly among underserved populations. Home-cooked meals are associated with lower rates of obesity. Helping children develop culinary skills has been associated with improved nutrition. The purpose of this study is to report results from a scoping review of culinary education interventions with children from low-income families. Three databases and hand searches of relevant articles were examined. Retained articles met inclusionary criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, as appropriate. A data extraction template was developed. Data were independently extracted and verified. Only nine out of 370 articles met the inclusionary criteria and were included in the review. Most interventions were school-based, used a quasi-experimental design, and recruited minority children. Children-only was the primary intervention focus. Primary outcomes were mostly psychosocial from child self-report. Most interventions focused on children only and were guided by Social Cognitive Theory. Most reported stakeholder involvement; however, type and degree varied. All had an in-person component; only one used technology. Few reported training program leaders. Culinary education programs for children from low-income families could benefit from a broader theoretical grounding, program leader training, and greater parental involvement.

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Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000210 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 84 (5-6) ◽

pp. 244-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Robert J. Karp ◽

Gary Wong ◽

Marguerite Orsi

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Energy Content ◽

Food Selection ◽

The United States ◽

United States Department ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Caloric Density ◽

Low Income Families ◽

The Cost ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

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PERCENTAGE OF UNINSURED CHILDREN HAS INCREASED

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.88.5.1051 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 88 (5) ◽

pp. 1051-1051

Author(s):

STUDENT

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

United States ◽

Health Care ◽

Low Income ◽

Health Care Policy ◽

The United States ◽

Public Health Insurance ◽

Care Policy ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Uninsured Children

The proportion of children in the United States without private or public health insurance increased from roughly 13 percent to 18 percent between 1977 and 1987, according to a new study by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). The growth in the proportion of uninsured children in poor and low-income families over the decade was even more dramatic—it rose from 21 percent to 31 percent.

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Mobile Phone Apps for Low-Income Participants in a Public Health Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Review and Analysis of Features (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12261 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Summer J Weber ◽

Daniela Dawson ◽

Haley Greene ◽

Pamela C Hull

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phone ◽

Nutrition Education ◽

Low Income ◽

The United States ◽

Infants And Children ◽

Nutrition Program ◽

User Reviews ◽

User Input ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Electronic Benefits Transfer

BACKGROUND Since 1972, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has been proven to improve the health of participating low-income women and children in the United States. Despite positive nutritional outcomes associated with WIC, the program needs updated tools to help future generations. Improving technology in federal nutrition programs is crucial for keeping nutrition resources accessible and easy for low-income families to use. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to analyze the main features of publicly available mobile phone apps for WIC participants. METHODS Keyword searches were performed in the app stores for the 2 most commonly used mobile phone operating systems between December 2017 and June 2018. Apps were included if they were relevant to WIC and excluded if the target users were not WIC participants. App features were reviewed and classified according to type and function. User reviews from the app stores were examined, including ratings and categorization of user review comments. RESULTS A total of 17 apps met selection criteria. Most apps (n=12) contained features that required verified access available only to WIC participants. Apps features were classified into categories: (1) shopping management (eg, finding and redeeming food benefits), (2) clinic appointment management (eg, appointment reminders and scheduling), (3) informational resources (eg, recipes, general food list, tips about how to use WIC, links to other resources), (4) WIC-required nutrition education modules, and (5) other user input. Positive user reviews indicated that apps with shopping management features were very useful. CONCLUSIONS WIC apps are becoming increasingly prevalent, especially in states that have implemented electronic benefits transfer for WIC. This review offers new contributions to the literature and practice, as practitioners, software developers, and health researchers seek to improve and expand technology in the program.

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Equitable Access to High-Quality Early Care and Education: Opportunities to Better Serve Young Hispanic Children and Their Families

The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science ◽

10.1177/00027162211041942 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 696 (1) ◽

pp. 80-105

Author(s):

Julia Mendez Smith ◽

Danielle Crosby ◽

Christina Stephens

Keyword(s):

Head Start ◽

Language Learners ◽

Low Income ◽

Culturally Responsive ◽

Preschool Age ◽

Hispanic Children ◽

High Quality ◽

Early Childhood Care ◽

Childhood Care ◽

Low Income Families

Significant investments in public early childhood care and education (ECE) have yielded higher Hispanic enrollment in preschool-age programs, but progress has been uneven and inconsistent, especially for the youngest Hispanic children and low-income families. We review how ECE has contributed to Hispanic children’s development, offering a detailed review of Hispanic children’s participation in ECE, including evidence of effectiveness from ECE programs such as Early Head Start and Head Start, and state pre-K programs. We conclude with a discussion of why Hispanic children remain underserved by ECE and what policy changes could increase participation in these programs among Hispanics. We argue for expansion of established high-quality ECE into Hispanic-dense communities, for strategies that enroll and retain Latino children in ECE in ways that are family-centered and culturally responsive, and that ECE must adapt to better serve Hispanic families and dual language learners who require culturally appropriate pedagogy.

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Food Stamp Program Effects on Availability Of Food Nutrients for Low Income Families In the Southern Region of the United States

Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics ◽

10.1017/s0081305200015120 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 113-120 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

W. Keith Scearce ◽

Robert B. Jensen

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Low Income ◽

The United States ◽

Southern Region ◽

Food Stamp ◽

Food Stamp Program ◽

Nutritional Improvement ◽

Program Effects ◽

Low Income Families ◽

Low Income Households

The food stamp program, as enacted into law in 1964, was intended to improve the diet of low income households, but whether the program resulted in a nutritional improvement remains a controversial question. Several studies have evaluated the nutritional impact of the food stamp program on participant households. In general, the study findings do not conclusively resolve the question of nutritional improvement for participant families. Studies of California families showed some nutritional improvements among food stamp recipients in comparison with nonrecipients [7, 8]. A study in Pennsylvania showed no nutritional improvements, except in temporary periods of cash shortage [9].

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US election could affect remittances to Latin America

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db213876 ◽

2016 ◽

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Latin America ◽

Low Income ◽

Positive Impact ◽

The United States ◽

Content Type ◽

The Caribbean ◽

Low Income Families

Subject Growing remittances to Latin America. Significance Family remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have been growing strongly in a year when immigration has become a central and controversial election issue in the United States. Impacts Strong remittance growth will have a positive impact on millions of low-income families in the region. A Trump presidency could lead to reduced LAC-US migration and a tax on remittances, probably slowing growth in 2017-18. LAC migrants and their families are set to benefit further from an expected continuing fall in sending costs.

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