Developing early childhood programs for children and families at risk: Research-based principles to promote long-term effectiveness

Early childhood programs for economically disadvantaged children are comprehensive interventions designed to help prevent school failure and social difficulties by promoting healthy child and family development. Eight principles of early childhood interventions were reviewed to highlight the research-based characteristics of programs that promote long-term effects on children's development. Effective programs not only enhance children's scholastic development but also can reduce the need for later remedial education and human welfare services. The effects of the Chicago Child-Parent Center, a large-scale early intervention program, were described to illustrate the importance of designing and implementing programs that have all the features of programs demonstrating long-term success for children and families.