Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

Dr. Jack Shonkoff, our Faculty Director of 18 years, is stepping down from the helm to devote all his time to building an independent portfolio of work as Founding Director at the Center and a member of our affiliated faculty. All of us at the Center feel privileged to build on the incredible foundation Jack has laid over the last two decades. We look forward to continuing to serve the field by leveraging science in new and creative ways in pursuit of better, more equitable outcomes for young children. To hear directly from Jack on his future directions, click here: https://lnkd.in/gABYB7Vh

Water can affect developing immune systems. More effective and consistent regulation, testing, and treatment of drinking water is an impactful way to improve children's overall health and well-being. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4eQQUAv

We're excited to share that, in collaboration with the FrameWorks Institute and Harvard C-CHANGE, we have launched a new research project designed to investigate the most effective strategies for communicating about the many ways that climate change is affecting early childhood development. Learn more about this new project here: https://bit.ly/3LyBmE3

The experiences and exposures children have in the places where they live, grow, play, and learn affect their development and lifelong health. As the climate changes, children's developmental environments are changing as well. To learn more and find ways to support the health and well-being of children and their caregivers, read our brief, "Growing Up in A Warming World": https://bit.ly/3XF16Wx

During the “New Lens on Poverty” conversation, hosted by the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, Rx Kids director Dr. Mona Hanna and co-director Luke Shaefer discussed the program and the research behind it. Listen to their talk, and check out the 5 top takeaways: https://lnkd.in/gjejjEcq Early Learning Nation

The places where children live, learn, grow, and play affect their development and lifelong health. Smart surfaces - like porous and permeable pavement - can help protect children's developmental environments from the effects of flooding. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3zOLi9J

Another great example of a serve and return interaction 😂 When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills. Serve & return interactions like this are easy to do at home or pretty much anywhere! Learn more: https://bit.ly/3yIEExN

☀️ With summer heat continuing, it's important to remember the effects heat has on early childhood development. Check out this article from our friends at Harvard Graduate School of Education to learn more: https://bit.ly/3zOn3bu

Our “Brain-Building Through Play” handouts are now available in Spanish! 👉 https://bit.ly/3PvRRSf With support from The LEGO Foundation, we created these handouts with playful, age-appropriate activities for children, from newborns to adolescents, that are easy to do at home or just about anywhere.

Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships are critical for early childhood development. Climate change can affect these relationships by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events that can cause displacement, unpredictability, and job loss. To learn more about how climate change is affecting early childhood development, read our new brief: https://bit.ly/3XF16Wx