HarvardCenter

In our latest Policy Q&A, LaMonika Jones of the Food Research & Action Center how nutrition assistance programs provide critical support for young children and their caregivers. Read the Q&A here: @fractweets

When children accomplish age-appropriate tasks, these experiences help them see that they are capable of making a difference and are valuable to those around them. Learn more: This video was originally posted on IG by deddehhoward

In a recent episode of Science Friday, our faculty director, Dr. Stephanie M. Jones, discusses what the research says about how the COVID-19 pandemic affected young children, including the impact on executive function skills. 🎧 Listen here

Twenty years ago, the importance of a child's earliest years was not widely recognized in public discourse or policy. Today, reflecting a nationwide groundswell of interest in the early years, every state has some type of early childhood agenda:

🎉 We are excited to relaunch our podcast with a new name and a new season, exploring how understanding of early childhood development continues to evolve and what that means for children, caregivers, and the systems that shape their lives. Listen here:

🥹 Sign language is a great way to have serve and return interactions with infants and young children. You can learn more about the importance of serve and return interactions here: Video was originally posted on IG by robertandmaggie_

Over the past 20 years, the Center has worked with amazing partners, including Dr. Aaliyah A. Maxwell, who have helped enact change in the early childhood space and improve outcomes for young children facing adversity. Learn more: #20YearsOfImpact

Kicking off celebrations for our 20th anniversary, our Faculty Director, Stephanie M. Jones, PhD, reflects on two decades of impact in early childhood, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Read her full note here: #20YearsOfImpact

Celebrate our 20th anniversary with us! 🎉 On our website, you can find a new interactive timeline and revisit key moments in the Center’s history—from our launch in 2006 to our expanded story of early childhood development: #20YearsOfImpact

By supporting caregivers and reducing sources of stress in their lives, we can help ensure our children have a healthy start surrounded by supportive relationships. Learn more here:

When we build developmental environments rich with opportunity—including access to safe green space, nutritious foods, and more—we can support the developing brain and other biological systems. Learn more:

Children feel that they matter when adults create places that make them feel included and important—just like in this video! Learn about the importance of mattering in childhood here: Original video posted by ourhuddybuddy on IG.

From babies to toddlers to teens, play is a critical part of development! If you're looking for ways to play with your child, check out our play-based handouts for children of all ages: Original video posted by justinemfulama on Instagram.

All of a child’s experiences and exposures, along with their timing, interact with their genes to shape the development of their biological systems, including the brain. Learn more here:

Supportive relationships with caregivers and other protective factors in a child's developmental environment can help children cope with adversity. 👉 This underscores the need for policies and programs that support young children and their caregivers:

Next Friday, September 18, at 9:30 AM, our Faculty Director, Stephanie M. Jones, PhD, will deliver the keynote at the Boston Foundation's "Beyond the Buzzword: Defining High Quality in Early Education and Care." You can register here 👉 See you there!

Not all stress is bad and many children will experience positive stress as they return to school or childcare this week. Experiencing positive stress with the support of responsive caregivers is an important part of healthy development. Learn more here:

A wide range of conditions in children’s environments affect their developing brains and other biological systems, with impacts on lifelong health and well-being. Find more strategies to create healthy developmental environments for our children here:

By creating supportive developmental environments free of hazards and rich with opportunity—such as safe, stable housing and access to healthcare during pregnancy—we can help ensure our children have what they need to thrive in childhood and beyond:

😂 We love those early giggles! Play is a critical part of early childhood development, and reading together can be a great way to play! Find more ways to play with your child here: Originally posted on IG by scotteyx #earlychildhood #play