Earth Day

To the editor:

As a scientist and founder of Weather Underground, I have spent my career studying how early conditions shape longterm outcomes. That same principle applies to human development: the earliest years of life are when the foundation for learning, behavior, and health is built.

With Earth Day approaching, we are reminded that caring for our planet requires long-term thinking and sustained investment. The same is true for our children. From birth through age five, children’s brains develop at an extraordinary pace. High-quality early childhood education during this time does more than prepare children for kindergarten — it shapes their ability to think critically, collaborate, and persist through challenges.