Key elements and strategies of effective early childhood education programs: Lessons from the field

Knowledge on the design and impact of early childhood programs has increased substantially over the past decade. Recent directions in the field are focusing on (1) empirically assessing programs based on scientific rigor, (2) documenting the effectiveness of programs in publicly accessible databases, and (3) conducting benefit-cost analyses to identify programs that indicate the best return on investments. Through these efforts, research has identified key elements that produce the most significant and sustainable gains in children. We summarize key elements of effectiveness commonly discussed in the field. Furthermore, evidence-based approaches to early childhood interventions are increasingly incorporated into policy. Future directions for research and practice on early childhood programs are discussed.