Early childhood education builds character. Quality early education programs focus on developing the whole child—not just his or her cognitive abilities. Our over-emphasis on building that which can be measured—cognitive abilities—obscures the immeasurable value of focus, persistence, and sociability in driving and maintaining academic achievement.

Quality early childhood education fuses knowledge with character—giving children the backbone they need to do well in school, do the right thing as adolescents, and become productive adults. That maximizes taxpayer money invested in education, health, and economic development.

America’s most valuable resource is its people. Smart people with character will build stronger businesses and a stronger country. So how do we create smarter people with character? Through wiser investments in early childhood education that can improve lives, create more productive citizens, reduce budget deficits, and strengthen the economy.