Why the “Next 1,000 Days,” After a Child’s First 1,000 Days, Are Critically Important for Health, Development

By National Institute for Early Education Research

The National Institute for Early Education Research reports that a robust and growing body of international research shows that too many children across the globe are not receiving nurturing care in their second 1,000 days of life.

A two-part international Lancet research series discusses the importance of investing in “the next 1,000 days,” from ages two to five. The research summarizes the positive short- and long-term child outcomes of high-quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) programs. The series also examines parent education programs, which have been shown to yield sizeable improvements in children’s developmental outcomes.

The first report in the series, The next 1,000 days: Building on early investments for the heal