Learning starts in the womb. And from the moment they are born, children begin to interact with the world around them and build critical skills. What they learn in their first few years of life - and how they learn it - can have long-lasting effects on their health and on their subsequent success at school and at work.

Early learning refers to the skills and concepts that children develop before entering kindergarten. It is a critical part of development and can create patterns for both school and adult learning.

By studying early learning, researchers can find the best ways for parents and caregivers to encourage children to develop these skills and concepts and to put children on the path to lifelong learning.