Which of the following benefits is most closely associated with early childhood education programs?

B is the most closely associated benefit with early childhood education programs because these programs are designed to foster children's social-emotional development alongside academic growth. Participation in early childhood education enables children to learn crucial social skills, such as sharing, cooperation, empathy, and effective communication.

These skills are fundamental as they lay the groundwork for children's interactions with peers and adults, facilitating successful relationships and social interactions later in life. Engaging in structured group activities, guided play, and cooperative learning environments within early childhood programs specifically enhances a child's ability to navigate social situations, making improved social skills a primary focus and outcome of these early educational interventions.

While other options may be associated with various aspects of child and family development, they don't directly align with the core objectives and benefits of early childhood education as prominently as improved social skills do. Increasing family income may result from parents gaining employment or advancing in their careers due to supportive educational structures, but this is an indirect benefit. Similarly, while extended school hours and higher teacher salaries are necessary features of an educational system, they do not encapsulate the essence of the benefits aimed at children's development that early childhood programs strive to achieve.