The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University recently published a working paper titled, Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body.
The report’s main message is that early childhood experiences affect the foundations of both educational achievement and lifelong physical and mental health. Most of the research on early learning has examined its impact on academic performance; this report turns the spotlight on long term physical health.
The report advises policymakers that the most effective policies and programs:
Support responsive relationships between children and their adult care providers.
Reduce sources of stress on young children and the adults who care for them.
Strengthen adult caregivers’ core life skills so that they in turn can help children develop these same important skills.
This is a reminder of the critical importance of the work that ECE providers do– for children, families, and for the health and wellbeing of society as a whole! You can find a link to the report and to a report summary here.
