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- Reports & Working Papers
- A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy
- The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do
- Early Childhood Program Evaluations: A Decision-Maker’s Guide
- Council Working Paper #1: Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships
- Council Working Paper #2: Children's Emotional Development Is Built into the Architecture of their Brains
- Council Working Paper #3: Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain
- Council Working Paper #4: Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture
- Council Working Paper #5: The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture
- Council Working Paper #6: Mental Health Problems in Early Childhood Can Impair Learning and Behavior for Life
- Forum Working Paper #1: Workforce Development, Welfare Reform, and Child Well-Being
- Briefs
- Multimedia
- Interactive Features
- InBrief Series
- Symposium Summary DVD Videos
- Executive Summary - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy DVD
- Part 1 - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy Summary DVD
- Part 2 - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy Summary DVD
- Part 3 - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy Summary DVD
- Part 4 - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy Summary DVD
- Symposium Presentations & Videos
- "The Science of Child Development and the Future of Early Childhood Policy" (June 26, 2008)
- "Lessons Learned from Public-Private Partnerships" (June 26, 2008)
- "What Research Tells Us About Early Childhood Program Effectiveness" (June 27, 2008)
- "The Impact of Early Adversity on Brain Development" (June 27, 2008)
- "Delivering High-Value Services to Vulnerable Children" (June 27, 2008)
- "Learning from State Experience: Executive and Legislative Perspectives" (June 27, 2008)
- "Improving Quality in Early Childhood Programs" (June 27, 2008)
- Articles & Books
- Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, and the Childhood Roots of Health Disparities: Building a New Framework for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Economic, Neurobiological and Behavioral Perspectives on Building America’s Future Workforce
- From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development
- Reports & Working Papers
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All of the media products created at the Center on the Developing Child have been crafted with the goal of helping to close the gap between what experts know about the science of early childhood and what the public understands and does about it.
The Center strives to present information, especially scientific information, in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers. The Center has a longstanding partnership with the non-profit FrameWorks Institute, which performs communications research designed to help the Center—and its initiatives, the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation—translate the science of early childhood development accurately and understandably to scientists and non-scientists alike.
The materials on this site appear in a variety of lengths, styles, and formats in order to appeal to a variety of audiences. The section "Articles & Books," below, is intended primarily for a scientific audience and includes peer-reviewed journal articles. All other Center publications are designed for non-scientific audiences.
Reports & Working Papers
A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy
A ground-breaking framework for using evidence to improve outcomes in learning, behavior, and health for vulnerable children, co-authored by the members of the National Forum on Early Childhood Program Evaluation and the National Scientic Council on the Developing Child. Combining knowledge from neuroscience, behavioral and developmental science, economics, and 40 years of early childhood program evaluation, the authors provide an informed, nonpartisan, pragmatic framework to guide policymakers toward science-based policies that improve the lives of young children and benefit society as a whole.
The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do
This publication from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child offers a concise, clear overview of the science of early childhood and brain development as it relates to policies and programs that could make a significant difference in the lives of young children and all of society.
Briefs
InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development
This brief addresses basic concepts of early childhood development, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, which help illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society.
InBrief: Early Childhood Program Effectiveness
This brief outlines basic concepts from four decades of program evaluation research which help explain how society can ensure that children have a solid foundation for a productive future by creating and implementing effective early childhood programs and policies.
MULTIMEDIA
InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development
This edition of the InBrief series addresses basic concepts of early childhood development, established over decades of neuroscience and behavioral research, which help illustrate why child development—particularly from birth to five years—is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society. More >
Executive Summary - National Symposium on Early Childhood Science and Policy DVD
This 6-minute executive summary from the full DVD, filmed at the Symposium in June 2008, includes highlights of the Symposium's proceedings as well as interviews with Symposium presenters. More >
ARTICLES & BOOKS
Neuroscience, Molecular Biology, and the Childhood Roots of Health Disparities: Building a New Framework for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2009
The origins of many adult diseases can be traced to negative experiences early in life, so confronting the causes of adversity before and shortly after birth may be a promising way to improve adult health and reduce premature deaths, according to this article written by Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., W. Thomas Boyce, M.D., Bruce S. McEwen, Ph.D., all members of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, and published in the June 3, 2009, issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Economic, Neurobiological and Behavioral Perspectives on Building America’s Future Workforce
PNAS, 2006
This article by Eric I. Knudsen, James J. Heckman, Judy L. Cameron, and Jack P. Shonkoff was published on the web sites of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and the Institute for the Study of Labor, and in the July-September 2006 issue of World Economics.
From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development
National Academies Press, 2000
In 2000, the National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development produced this landmark report. The committee brought together 17 leading authorities on human development and neuroscience for an unprecedented review of the existing knowledge base on early childhood. The report was co-edited by founding Center director and National Scientific Council on the Developing Child Chair Jack P. Shonkoff and Council member Deborah A. Phillips.
