RT Journal
A1 Berkelhamer JE
T1 Kids first: Five big ideas for transforming children’s lives and america’s future
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2011
FD November 1
VO 165
IS 11
SP 1052
OP 1052
DO 10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.170
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.170
AB 
The book describes the kids-first agenda in 6 well-written chapters, one for each of the 5 ideas and a summation on the politics of implementation. Chapter 1 starts with the concept of providing strong support for new parents, giving them the tools to become effective teachers for their kids from birth. This initial effort is then followed in chapter 2 with providing high-quality early education for their kids. In the third chapter, it is recommended that children move into schools that are closely linked with the community, thus improving opportunities for learning by paying attention to physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. Dr Kirp then moves on to discuss the importance of adding a caring, stable, and friendly adult to the child's life. This “big friend” needs to do what it takes to build social capital, helping prepare the child for college or a good job and a responsible, care-for-others life. The final, fifth step calls for providing a universal piggy bank for each child, giving them the nest egg to move on successfully to higher education and into the job market. This is the level-playing-field component of the overall agenda. The final chapter of the book chronicles the smart politics of rescuing the American dream by investing and implementing the 5 ideas in the kids-first agenda.