ABSTRACT
The first years of life are a particularly important period for children (Carnegie Task Force on Meeting the Needs of Young Children, 1994; Council of Economic Advisers, 1997). Recent research emphasizes the effects of early influences on brain development (Shore, 1997), and investments during young childhood are likely to be significant for learning skills, gaining self-esteem, and emotional security (Heckman, 2000), although the mechanisms for these effects are poorly understood and the relation between early brain development and future outcomes remains controversial (Bruer, 1999). Many parents face particular demands in the workplace during these critical years of their children’s lives as parents attempt to establish or advance in careers and meet the financial needs of their growing families. These pressures may be aggravated by job insecurity, increased pace of work, and other burdens such as the need to care for aging relatives.
