Early Childhood Development Research shows that a child’s healthy development depends on safe and positive experiences during the first few years of life. This is primarily because of the rapid rate of human brain development from infancy until the time a child enters kindergarten. The brain grows to about 80 percent of its adult size by age three and 90 percent by age five. This critical phase of development makes the experiences encountered during this time of life—both pos

As part of a concerted national effort by experts in the fields of economics, national security, and education to promote school readiness for children entering kindergarten, Florida has enacted its own readiness program. The Florida School Readiness Program offers financial assistance to low-income families for early education and care so they can become financially self-sufficient and their young children can be successful when they reach school. Florida’s School Readiness