Working Globally

Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University



The Center on the Developing Child Harvard University works globally to build a broader movement to achieve breakthrough outcomes for children around the world.  

Currently the focus is:

  • Coordinated strategies to support child development can multiply the effects of investments in child survival, health, education, and economic development.
  • We need to protect children from significant adversity, in addition to providing them with enriched learning opportunities.
  • The early childhood years are critical building blocks for lifelong health, not just school readiness.
Working closely with countries such as Brazil, Canada and Mexico  and their policy makers.  The collaboration encompasses incorporating  science and childhood development within their cultures.  


  • Building a scientific community around early childhood development.  Guide the synthesis and application of scientific knowledge about child development to policymaking and practice in these countries. It is also fostering collaboration among Harvard and  country  researchers. 
  • Translating scientific knowledge for application to social policy. This includes working with the Center’s longtime partner organization, the Frameworks Institute, to communicate the science of child development within the Brazilian cultural context in the most effective ways.

Brain Science


The brain is a highly integrated organ and its multiple functions operate in coordination with one another. Emotional well-being and social competence provide a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities, and together they are the bricks and mortar of brain architecture. The emotional and physical health  social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all important for success in school, the workplace, and in the larger community   Toxic stress weakens the architecture of the developing brain, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health


Communicating the science

We’ve found that the most effective science communication has the following characteristics:
  • It’s clear. The language is free of jargon and uses metaphors that aid understanding.
  • It’s accurate. The science comes from a body of knowledge, not just the latest study.
  • It’s relevant. It shows how scientific research connects to current issues.
  • It’s credible. It gives people enough information and explanation to trust research results.
  • It overcomes existing preconceptions. It can be difficult for people to accept the science if the data conflicts with their beliefs.


 National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs. These groups engage in vigorous peer debate of their own knowledge and that of other leading researchers in order to arrive at synthesis that best represent a firm foundation of current expert knowledge.  

references 
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 11, 2017 at 3:28 PM

    The Center on the Developing Child Harvard University focus on children around the world. This organization is doing great thing for children. I think by using science this will help the children progress through the years. Science I believe with give the policy an acute focus on child development. The brain plays a major part in the body, because without the brain we wouldn’t be able to think, eat, or function our bodies. Social, gross motor, language, self-help, and cognitive skills is a big part of drain development. These skills need the brain to work function properly.

    LaQuesha Goss

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 11, 2017 at 6:05 PM

    I found this website to be full of useful information. The brain is something that needs a considerable amount of study and research. If we can unlock the mysteries of the brain, just imagine how that would benefit our young children. It is amazing how ECE programs around the world struggle with the same things we do here in the US. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Childhood Stressers

In the past few years,  my family had a lot of financial difficulties,  there was not enough money for bills and food,   I was working between 2 to three jobs,  taking any kind of work that come my way.  Having 2 small boys on top of it was very difficult to manage.    I always needed help to watch them  and was always shuffling them around from place to place.  They had no order no structure and constant chaos, they were always crying and upset  They started to withdraw and struggle in school.  The became very clingy to me.  Their eating habits were terrible.  I had to take better control of the situation.  Thankfully I was able to find more stability in work and able to be available for my children on a constant basis.    They are happy   well adjusted and thriving as a 13, 11 and 8 year old young men. Extreme poverty leads to stunted development, limited future productivity as adults, and inte...
Read more

Research Simulation

Image
                             Why is your simulation important to the field of early  childhood? My simulation regarding the difference in quality of early  childhood education between high and low income levels is  important because All children should be afforded the same quality  education no matter what their economic status.  Once we can identify the gaps in quality we can fill the voids and ensure all children are provided the same education.  If you were to conduct your simulation proposal, who would benefit? The simulation will not only benefit the children in low income  areas it can benefit the educators by identifying gaps in the programs so they may be addressed and better programs put into place.   What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course? My percept...
Read more

Immunization

According to vaccines.gov safe and effective vaccines have eliminated some diseases like small pox and Polio which in the past have killed thousands of people.  New vaccines are only releases and administered after long and careful research.  Getting vaccinated and following a schedule can protect not only children and adults but also babies who may not be of age to receive certain vaccines. (vaccine.gov). The importance of getting vaccinated against worldwide illnesses before traveling outside the United states is extremely important to protect yourself from diseases we do not have in our country and to ensure not bringing the illness back to our country and causing an epidemic. Pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS and malnutrition are the primary killers of children in the developing world. These children die because they are poor, they do not have access to routine immunization or health services, their diets lack sufficient vitamin A and other essential mic...
Read more