It does take a village to raise a child. A big village. Not just teachers. Thousands of parents, volunteers, donors, business partnerships, officials, social service agencies, churches and other organizations.

But K-12 schools may be the wrong focus. One of the most difficult tasks for any institution, from for-profit corporations to public institutions, is defining what business they are in.

“Steel” or “building materials”? “Trucking” or “transportation”?

When it comes to kids is our community in the “primary and secondary education” business or in the “child development” business? If our goal is a community of happy, healthy, productive citizens, the most cost-effective way to reach it may require focusing elsewhere than on 5-to-17-year-olds.

Consider adult health care. Radiation and chemotherapy to treat cancer. Heart surgeons to perform bypass operations. Multi-million-dollar diagnostic technology.

But you and I know the preferable alternative: regular exercise, weight control, stress reduction, elimination of tobacco, enough sleep, and the substitution of fruits and vegetables for the All-American diet of sweet grease and salty grease.

No government or medical intervention required. Little or no cost. In fact, the preferred path costs a lot less than what we’re doing now. Child development and education are like that.

Our school district can, and does, offer remedial reading and math programs. School lunches can improve children’s nutrition, health – and ability to learn. Physical education can advance retarded motor skills. Pharmaceuticals can help control hyperactivity. Counseling can relieve emotional pain.

But how much more humane, effective, fair – and efficient – to provide for early childhood development. The development that not only reduces the need for such programs but enables every child to soar to his or her potential. Sir Thomas More gave us the word “utopia” in his 1516 novel. If we were to put into practice what we already know about early childhood the impact on our species globally, nationally, and within our community would be truly utopian. In human happiness. Productivity. The increase in civility and decrease in crime.

Like adult health care, most recommended childhood practices are no-brainer suggestions that cost nothing. To the extent public or private investment is required we save $7 tomorrow for every $1 invested today. We’re talking about a child’s life from conception through age three, or five. The years before entering the school system. Prenatal, infant, toddler, preschooler. The years when brain cells grow and neural connections are formed. When self-esteem, personality and social behavior are shaped. The things that make excellent education possible.

What do such youngsters need? Not much. But the difference between getting it and not is enormous – with lifelong consequences for all of us, not just the child.

Prenatal care for mother and child. Good nutrition. Her avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

Once born, the survival basics of child care are obvious: security, shelter, clothing, food, bathing, attending to sickness. A caring pediatrician.

But child development is another matter – though equally basic and inexpensive: received affection, touch and holding; interaction with people and things (not just “stimulation”); the ability to explore and discover; a stress-free sense of security, consistency and predictability. And reading, reading, reading.

The food needn’t be expensive. Breast milk is free and offers emotional and medical benefits along with nutrition. The “things” for interaction don’t have to be $100 toys. Many youngsters prefer the empty boxes – or household pots and pans. The books can come from the school or public library rather than the bookstore.

The consistency and caring need not come from a parent or expensive day care. A sibling, grandparent, neighbor, baby sitter or foster parent may provide them.

In other words, we’re talking about a fair start for all the world’s children, not just the privileged offspring of affluent professionals in industrialized nations.

Are children doomed who don’t get this fair start? Nothing our schools can do? Of course not.  Our school district wants to do its best with every child. You’re not doomed if you abuse your body and need a heart bypass operation either.

But why put yourself through it?

Why not give our children – and our schools – a fair chance?

Think our economy can’t afford it? Think again. China has 200,000 “Parent Schools.” India’s Integrated Child Development Services benefit over 10 million children. It’s just a matter of priorities.

Two weeks from now this column will examine what we’re doing in Johnson County.
 
Nicholas Johnson is a member of the Iowa City Community School Board.