The United States has come a long way since the first debates about public schools began. Responsibility for education shifted from local to state control. Today the focus is on the federal government and national organizations to regulate standards. The level of debate on the topic of early childhood education is shocking. Many people wonder how much formal learning is necessary or helpful for very young children. Numerous studies have shown, however, that some forms of education, whether in a formal school setting or an informal home setting, will significantly benefit children when they reach traditional school age. Children are better prepared to learn and behave better. It is essential to understand the development of early childhood education concepts and procedures. Early childhood education is the beginning of an academic career for children. Early childhood education not only benefits children, but also their families and communities. Improved academic achievement and increased financial savings demonstrate the benefits of high-quality early childhood education. Children who attended early childhood education programs like Head Start, for example, were more advanced in skills such as following directions, solving problems and participating in activities. Early childhood care and education play an important role in the lives of all family members. It provides children with a stable routine and offers endless learning opportunities, while giving families the security of knowing their child is in a safe and nurturing environment. Many children enter some form of child care early, from when they are newborns until they are informed that participants, especially those in low-income areas, enter preschool at a head start and achieve greater achievement in terms health, education and financial issues as adolescents and adults. That's why early education is not only effective for the children and families who participate in it, but for society as a whole. As a more educated and financially secure society, there are greater possibilities for the future as a state. Works Cited Thomas, J. (2014). Child development programs. Child Development Programs: Education Research Programs, 1.Love, J.M. That Mitigate the Effects of Poverty on Children. Children's Futures 7, 88. Ludwig, J., & Phillips, D. (2008). “Long-Term Effects of Head Start on Low-Income Children.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 1136:257–268. http://home.uchicago.edu/~ludwigj/papers/NYAS-LudwigPhillips-HeadStart-2008.pdf