Intervention and support are more successful
the earlier a problem is addressed. Prevention of
reading difficulties, for example, is far less difficult
and expensive than remediation.86 In addition, the
literature shows that some aspects of development
occur most efficiently at certain points in the
life span. The first three years of life, for example,
appear to be an optimal period for oral language
development.87 Ensuring that children get the
needed environmental inputs and supports for a
particular kind of learning and development at its
“prime time” is always the most reliable route to
desired results.