Mission

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University was founded in 2006 on the belief that the vitality and sustainability of any society depend on the extent to which it expands opportunities early in life for all children to achieve their full potential and engage in responsible and productive citizenship. We view healthy child development as the foundation of economic prosperity, strong communities, and a just society, and our mission is to advance that vision by using science to enhance child well-being through innovations in policy and practice.

Specifically, the Center is committed to

• Building a unified science of health, learning, and behavior to explain the early roots of lifelong impairments;
• Leading the design, implementation, and evaluation of innovative program and practice models that reduce preventable disparities in well-being;
• Catalyzing the implementation of effective, science-based public policies through strategic relationships and knowledge transfer; and
• Preparing future and current leaders to build and leverage knowledge that promotes the healthy development of children and families and brings high returns to all of society.

Fact Sheet: Mission and Activities (PDF) >>

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What does the Center on the Developing Child do?
• Can the Center give me advice about my child’s health or development?
• I’m a reporter. How can I get more information about the Center?
• Are Center faculty available for interviews or presentations?
• How can I find out about becoming a funder for the Center on the Developing Child?
• How do I apply for full-time employment opportunities at the Center on the Developing Child?
• Are there any student employment opportunities available at the Center on the Developing Child?
• What is Frontiers of Innovation, and how is it related to the Center? 

More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) >>