Early Ed Can’t Do it Alone

“A parent is a child’s first teacher.” This is the oft-repeated mantra of child development experts, educators and politicians. But being a “teaching” parent can be much easier to say than do, especially for parents who are always pressed for time, hampered by constantly changing or inflexible work schedules, or worried about losing their jobs if they take time off to bond with newborns or comfort sick children.

To spread the word about National Work and Family Month, I wrote a piece for The Huffington Post arguing that policies that support parents (like flexible work hours) should be considered investments in children’s social and cognitive growth – meaning they will have an effect on our country’s success a generation from now. The piece is already sparking some strong reactions and good dialogue, and I hope that you’ll join in. Take a look:

• The Effects of Time-Starved Parents, 25 Years From Now (Huffington Post, October 6, 2010)

For more on the New America Foundation’s efforts to promote smart policy on flexible work arrangements, see the Workforce and Family Program‘s site and the many provocative and forward-looking events that the program has hosted recently.