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A new measure of clarity and a deeper understanding of the kinds of
environments that promote or impair the developing brain are emerging. The
roots of economic productivity and health risks in adulthood are found in early
childhood. The convergence of independent research in neuroscience,
developmental psychology, epidemiology, population health, molecular biology,
and economics is remarkable: the earliest experiences of children reach long into
adulthood (p. 17).
The critical components to setting a child on a ‘good’ trajectory are, on the
surface, not complicated. They include responsive interaction from caregivers; a great
deal of physical contact and closeness with loved ones; cognitive stimulation through
talking, singing and reading to the child; developmentally appropriate opportunities to
learn through exploration and play; and access to health care services; also key is the
absence of both violence in the child’s home and chronically high levels of stress or
dysfunction among family members (McCain et al., 2007; Moore, 2008; UNICEF, 2008).
However, in recent years, respected international organizations and experts in the field
have sounded the alarm that, for a number of reasons, some or all of these factors are
not present for a significant number of children from Canada and other wealthy,
capitalist, Anglo-Saxon nations (McCain et al., 2007; OECD, 2006; UNICEF, 2008).
2.2 BARRIERS TO OPTIMAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
According to McCain et al. (2007), the most important factors in determining
healthy early human development include socio-economic status, neighbourhood
characteristics, parenting style, family (dys)function, and maternal health (particularly
mental health and substance use). As will be explored in the following paragraphs,
these factors have pervasive and long-term impacts. However, even among families
who do not have risks in any of these areas, family isolation and lack of participation in
quality ECD programs are linked to increased chances of vulnerability by school entry
(McCain et al., 2007; UNICEF, 2008). As well, given that ever-increasing numbers of
mothers of young children are in the work force (close to 70% in Canada) (OECD, 2006),
the question of not only home environments, but equal access to quality early childhood
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