PowerPoint Presentation The Science of Early Childhood Development

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A Science-Based Framework for Building Greater
Public Will
JACK P. SHONKOFF, M.D. JULIUS B. RICHMOND FAMRI
PROFESSOR OF CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
, CENTER ON THE DEVELOPING CHILD HARVARD
UNIVERSITY
Joint Learning Initiative on Children and
HIV/AIDS Boston, MA September 24, 2007
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The Importance of Viewing the Needs of Children
in a Broad Context
The healthy development of all children benefits
all of society by providing a solid foundation
for economic productivity, responsible
citizenship, strong communities, and a secure
nation.
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Disparities in Early Vocabulary Growth
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Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult
Cardiovascular Disease
Odds Ratio
ACEs
Source Dong et al, 2004
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Core Concepts of Child Development
Brains are built over time, neural circuits are
wired in a bottom-up sequence, and the capacity
for change decreases with age. The interaction
of genes, environment, and personal experience
shapes the architecture of the developing brain,
and the active agent is the serve and return
nature of childrens relationships with the
important adults in their lives.
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Core Concepts of Child Development
Positive and tolerable stress are compatible
with normal child development. Toxic stress can
damage developing brain architecture and create a
short fuse for the bodys stress response systems
that leads to lifelong problems in learning,
behavior, and both physical and mental health.
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Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What
We Do
Need to address the paradox of a rapidly growing
science base, yet persistently inadequate
investment in the health and development of
vulnerable, young children and families.
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Searching for New Partners and a More Powerful
Message
Need for creative alliances with new leaders in
both the public and private sectors to reduce
significant inequalities in health and
development, beginning in the earliest years of
life, as both a moral responsibility and a
critical investment in a nations social and
economic future.
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www.developingchild.harvard.edu