News and Insights
The Center Celebrates 20 Years of Impact
In September 2026, the Harvard Center on the Developing Child kicked off our 20th anniversary year, marking two decades of work in making the science of early childhood development accessible and actionable.
Explore some of the milestones, partnerships, and perspectives that have shaped our work—and the early childhood field—and stay tuned for more throughout the year:
Strengthening Stability: Actionable Strategies to Support Young Children and Caregivers
Drawing on insights from the latest working paper from the Early Childhood Scientific Council on Equity and the Environment, From Resources to Routines: The Importance of Stability in the Developmental Environment, this conversation examines how interconnected systems—including housing, employment, health care, education, and community supports—can help create, maintain, and restore stability.
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Climate disasters can alter kids’ brains — before they’re even born
A new article from Grist highlights how exposure to climate-related disasters during pregnancy and early childhood can disrupt healthy brain development, with long-lasting effects on learning, behavior, and health.
Our Chief Science Officer, Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP, was quoted in the piece, emphasizing that while this is a highly sensitive developmental period, it’s also a window of opportunity. With the right supports and policies in place, we can buffer the effects of climate stress and promote resilience in both children and those who care for them.
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Explore our latest Policy Q&A on how food security supports early childhood development. You can also listen to the new season of our podcast, What Shapes Us, featuring conversations on 20 years of progress in early childhood development
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