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The Center strives to present information, especially scientific information, in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers. Use the menus below to filter by media type or topic.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

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Read the Working Paper

How-to Video: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return

Mother and son playing with toys overlaid with video title 5 Steps for Brain Building Serve and Return

Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It

A still from the video Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It, showing a woman experiencing stress depicted as squiggles around her head

How Racism Can Affect Child Development

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Briefs

Moving Upstream: Confronting Racism to Open Up Children’s Potential

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5 Facts About Health That Are Often Misunderstood

Topics: lifelong health Media Types: Briefs Published: 2021

InBrief: Understanding the Science of Motivation

Topics: motivation Media Types: Briefs Published: 2021

Cover page of Health and Learning Are Deeply Interconnected Mini-Brief

Health and Learning Are Deeply Interconnected in the Body: An Action Guide for Policymakers

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, mental health, toxic stress Media Types: Briefs Published: 2020

InBrief: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body

Topics: lifelong health Media Types: Briefs Published: 2020

Mother holding baby, holding him outside

How to Help Families and Staff Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Outbreak

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Two boys look out a window (Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash)

How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Topics: lifelong health, mental health, serve and return Media Types: Briefs Published: 2020

Child Welfare Brief thumbnail

InBrief: Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare Systems

Topics: adult capabilities, program effectiveness, toxic stress Media Types: Briefs Published: 2019

Legislative building

Motivation and Early Childhood Policy: Science-Based Approaches for Policymakers and Public Systems

Topics: motivation Media Types: Briefs Published: 2019

Toddlers watching a teacher

How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers

Topics: motivation Media Types: Briefs Published: 2019

5 facts about motivation: fact 1

5 Facts About Motivation That Are Often Misunderstood

Topics: motivation Media Types: Briefs Published: 2019

Daycare teacher works with baby who's playing.

5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return Media Types: Briefs, Tools & Guides Published: 2017

children with caregiver/teacher

8 Things to Remember about Child Development

Topics: brain architecture, executive function, neglect, resilience, serve and return Media Types: Briefs Published: 2016

The Science of Resilience InBrief

InBrief: The Science of Resilience

Topics: resilience Media Types: Briefs Published: 2015

Early Childhood Mental Health InBrief

InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health

Topics: mental health Media Types: Briefs Published: 2013

The Science of Neglect InBrief

InBrief: The Science of Neglect

Topics: neglect, serve and return Media Types: Briefs Published: 2013

Executive Function InBrief

InBrief: Executive Function

Topics: executive function Media Types: Briefs Published: 2012

Foundations of Lifelong Health InBrief

InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health

Topics: lifelong health Media Types: Briefs Published: 2010

Early Childhood Program Effectiveness InBrief

InBrief: Early Childhood Program Effectiveness

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Briefs Published: 2007

InBrief: The impact of early adversity on children's development cover thumbnail

InBrief: The Impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development

Topics: brain architecture, neglect, toxic stress Media Types: Briefs Published: 2007

InBrief: The science of early childhood development cover thumbnail

InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Briefs Published: 2007

Infographics

Resource

El lugar importa: lo que nos rodea nos define

Topics: child development, lifelong health, mental health, racism Media Types: Infographics Published: 2023

Place Matters: What Surrounds Us Shapes Us

Topics: child development, lifelong health, mental health, racism Media Types: Infographics Published: 2023

Racism & ECD thumbnail image

How Racism Can Affect Child Development

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, racism, toxic stress Media Types: Infographics Published: 2020

What Is Inflammation? And Why Does it Matter for Child Development?

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, toxic stress Media Types: Infographics Published: 2020

Detail of the first panel of the "What is COVID-19" infographic

What Is COVID-19? And How Does It Relate to Child Development?

Topics: lifelong health, mental health, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Infographics Published: 2020

Two trucks and a crane moving boxes from one truck to the other

What We Can Do About Toxic Stress

Topics: resilience, toxic stress Media Types: Infographics Published: 2019

Executive Function infographic thumbnail

What Is Executive Function? And How Does It Relate to Child Development?

Topics: brain architecture, brain development, executive function Media Types: Infographics Published: 2019

Epigenetics Infographic thumbnail

Epigenetics and Child Development: How Children’s Experiences Affect Their Genes

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, mental health Media Types: Infographics Published: 2019

Motivation Brain

The Brain Circuits Underlying Motivation: An Interactive Graphic

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function, mental health, motivation Media Types: Infographics Published: 2018

Icons of a toddler and two babies

ACEs and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions

Topics: toxic stress Media Types: Infographics Published: 2018

Podcasts

Group of cute kids playing in forest

The Brain Architects Podcast: Place Matters

Topics: Place Matters, play Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2023

The Brain Architects Podcast: IDEAS Impact Framework Toolkit

Topics: play, resilience Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2023

The Brain Architects Podcast: Building Resilience Through Play

Topics: play, resilience Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2022

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health Vital Signs

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The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Building from Strengths: Post-Pandemic Partnerships in Health Care

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The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Superheroes of Pediatric Care: Moving Beyond the Challenges of COVID-19

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The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: How Do We Rebuild and Re-Envision Early Childhood Services?

Topics: COVID-19, lifelong health, racism, toxic stress Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2021

The Brain Architects Podcast: Connecting Health & Learning Part II: The Implications

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The Brain Architects Podcast: Connecting Health & Learning Part I: The Science

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Woman having a telemedicine call with a therapist

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Mental Health in a Locked-Down World

Topics: lifelong health, mental health Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Person sitting with arms crossed and head down leaning up against a wall

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Domestic Violence and Shelter-In-Place

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Aerial view of a neighborhood with houses, trees, parks, and streets (Photo by Brandon Jacoby on Unsplash)

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Creating Communities of Opportunity

Topics: lifelong health, mental health, toxic stress Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Young girl wearing face mask receives a vaccination

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, mental health, serve and return Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Man sitting in a chair reading to a baby sitting on his lap. (Photo by nappy from Pexels)

The Brain Architects Podcast: COVID-19 Special Edition: A Different World

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, mental health, toxic stress Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Gray concrete pillars supporting a structure (Photo by Mirko Blicke on Unsplash)

The Brain Architects Podcast: Serve and Return: Supporting the Foundation

Topics: brain architecture, brain development, resilience, serve and return Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Aerial view of construction workers walking on rebar and building a foundation (Photo by Saad Salim on Unsplash)

The Brain Architects Podcast: Toxic Stress: Protecting the Foundation

Topics: resilience, toxic stress Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Pencil on blueprint with ruler (Photo by Sven Mieke on Unsplash)

The Brain Architects Podcast: Brain Architecture: Laying the Foundation

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2020

Old-fashioned microphone in front of unfocused black-and-white background Photo by Matt Botsford on Unsplash

About The Brain Architects Podcast

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Podcasts Published: 2019

Presentations

PBS NewsHour Q&A: Childhood Trauma and COVID-19

Topics: child development, COVID-19, resilience, toxic stress Media Types: Presentations Published: 2021

2020 Pediatric Brain Health Summit

Topics: child development, resilience Media Types: Presentations Published: 2020

Still from Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff's presentation at the 2020 National Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit

2020 National Prenatal-to-3 Research to Policy Summit

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Jack Shonkoff slide for NIHCM Presentation

Protecting Our Children: COVID-19’s Impact on Early Childhood and ACEs

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Protecting Brains, Stimulating Minds: The Early Life Roots of Success in School

Topics: brain architecture, brain development Media Types: Presentations Published: 2018

Social and Behavioral Determinants of Toxic Stress

Topics: lifelong health, toxic stress Media Types: Presentations Published: 2015

Why Do Some Children Respond to an Intervention and Others Don’t?

Topics: executive function, resilience Media Types: Presentations Published: 2015

Using Brain Science to Build a New 2Gen Intervention

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Presentations Published: 2015

Parenting for Brain Development and Prosperity

Topics: serve and return Media Types: Presentations Published: 2013

Beth Babcock

Using Brain Science to Create New Pathways out of Poverty

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Partner Resources, Presentations Published: 2013

Reports & Working Papers

Place Matters: The Environment We Create Shapes the Foundations of Healthy Development

Topics: child development, lifelong health, mental health, racism Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2023

Cover image of working paper 15, "Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined"

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, mental health Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2020

Working Paper 14 cover

Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function, motivation, resilience Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2018

Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families

Topics: adult capabilities, lifelong health, program effectiveness, serve and return Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2017

Child Welfare Systems report

Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare Systems

Topics: neglect Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2016

A cover image from the Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts paper, showing the title and an image of two parents kissing their baby

From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts

Topics: adult capabilities, brain architecture, executive function, lifelong health, mental health, neglect, program effectiveness, resilience, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2016

Building Core Capabilities for Life

Topics: adult capabilities Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2016

Working Paper 13 cover

Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience

Topics: resilience Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2015

A Decade of Science Informing Policy: The Story of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child

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Working Paper 12 cover

The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain

Topics: neglect, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2012

Working Paper 11 cover

Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function

Topics: executive function Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2011

The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood

Topics: lifelong health, mental health Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2010

Working Paper 10 cover

Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2010

Working Paper 9 cover

Persistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Children’s Learning and Development

Topics: lifelong health, mental health, neglect, toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2010

Working Paper 8 cover

Maternal Depression Can Undermine the Development of Young Children

Topics: mental health Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2009

Working Paper 7 cover

Workforce Development, Welfare Reform, and Child Well-Being

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2008

Working Paper 6 cover

Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood

Topics: mental health Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2008

The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2007

A Science-Based Framework for Early Childhood Policy

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, program effectiveness, toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2007

Working Paper 5 cover

The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2007

Working-Paper-4-cover

Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2006

Working Paper 3 cover

Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain

Topics: toxic stress Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2005

Working Paper 2 cover

Children’s Emotional Development Is Built into the Architecture of Their Brains

Topics: brain architecture, mental health Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2004

Working Paper 1 cover

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return Media Types: Reports & Working Papers Published: 2004

Tools & Guides

Place Matters: An Action Guide for Policy

Topics: child development, lifelong health, mental health, racism Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2023

Brain-Building Through Play: Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Children

Topics: brain architecture, executive function, play Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2022

Building Responsive Relationships Remotely

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Coronavirus molecule (Photo by CDC on Unsplash)

COVID-19 Resources

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Mejora y Práctica de las Habilidades de Función Ejecutiva con Niños desde la Infancia Hasta la Adolescencia

Topics: executive function Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2020

still from The Brain is a Work in Progress video

Training Module: “Build My Brain”

Topics: brain architecture, toxic stress Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2019

cover of guide

Building the Core Skills Youth Need for Life: A Guide for Education and Social Service Practitioners

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2018

FOI Current Portfolio Projects Graphic

Frontiers of Innovation Projects

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2018

Brain Story Certification Course

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2017

Adult capabilities handout thumbnail

Building the Skills Adults Need for Life: A Guide for Practitioners

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2017

Photo of woman caregiver holding an baby talking to another caregiver

Training Module: “Talk With Me Baby”

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2017

Daycare teacher works with baby who's playing.

5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return Media Types: Briefs, Tools & Guides Published: 2017

MOOC: The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development

Topics: brain architecture, resilience, serve and return Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2017

Brain Architecture game

The Brain Architecture Game

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2015

A screenshot of the training module showing the various parts of the course you can take

Training Module: Health Care Practitioner Module and Resources

Topics: executive function, mental health, resilience, toxic stress Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2015

Vroom

Topics: adult capabilities, serve and return Media Types: Partner Resources, Tools & Guides Published: 2015

Tipping the Scales: The Resilience Game

Topics: resilience Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2015

Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence

Topics: executive function Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2014

Decision maker's guide cover

Early Childhood Program Evaluations: A Decision-Maker’s Guide

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Tools & Guides Published: 2007

Videos

How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning

Topics: brain development, lifelong health, mental health, racism, toxic stress, video Media Types: Videos Published: 2021

Animated people standing outside (a still from the Science by Design video)

Science X Design: Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children

Topics: adult capabilities, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2020

Animated woman with squiggly ball of stress over her head

Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It

Topics: resilience, toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2019

A child and caregiver wearing goggles and doing a science experiment at a children's museum

Play in Early Childhood: The Role of Play in Any Setting

Topics: adult capabilities, lifelong health, play, serve and return Media Types: Videos Published: 2019

Serve and return video cover

How-to: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return

Topics: serve and return Media Types: Videos Published: 2019

Man and boy doing puzzle together

Urban Thinkscape: Transforming cityscapes into opportunities for playful learning

Topics: play Media Types: Videos Published: 2018

Building Core Capabilities for Life brain graphic with airplanes

How Children and Adults Can Build Core Capabilities for Life

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Videos Published: 2018

Jack Shonkoff discussing science-based innovation

The Case for Science-Based Innovation in Early Childhood

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Videos Published: 2016

Intergenerational Mobility Project: Building Adult Capabilities for Family Success

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Videos Published: 2016

Ready4Routines: Building the Skills for Mindful Parenting

Topics: adult capabilities, executive function Media Types: Videos Published: 2016

A still from the video showing large animated hands holding up two parents and their toddler

InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health

Topics: mental health Media Types: Videos Published: 2015

The Science of Resilience

InBrief: Resilience Series

Topics: resilience Media Types: Videos Published: 2015

How Resilience Is Built screenshot

InBrief: How Resilience Is Built

Topics: resilience Media Types: Videos Published: 2015

The Science of Resilience

InBrief: The Science of Resilience

Topics: resilience Media Types: Videos Published: 2015

What is resilience screen shot

InBrief: What Is Resilience?

Topics: resilience Media Types: Videos Published: 2015

FIND: Using Science to Coach Caregivers

Topics: adult capabilities, serve and return Media Types: Videos Published: 2014

Black and white photo of a worried baby behind crib bars

InBrief: The Science of Neglect

Topics: neglect, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2013

Child Development Core Story

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, resilience, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2013

Theory of Change video still

Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change

Topics: adult capabilities Media Types: Videos Published: 2013

Executive Function video still

InBrief: Executive Function: Skills for Life and Learning

Topics: executive function Media Types: Videos Published: 2012

Three Core Concepts in Early Development

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, serve and return, toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Graphic showing how toxic stress overtaxes the cardiovascular system

Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development

Topics: toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

A mother responds to her baby's babbling

Serve & Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry

Topics: brain architecture, serve and return Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Experiences Build Brain Architecture video still, showing neurons firing and growing

Experiences Build Brain Architecture

Topics: brain architecture Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Brain Hero

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Foundations of lifelong health video still

InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health

Topics: lifelong health Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Early Childhood Programs video still

InBrief: Early Childhood Program Effectiveness

Topics: program effectiveness Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Impact of Early Adversity video still

InBrief: The Impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development

Topics: toxic stress Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

The Science of ECD video still

InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development

Topics: brain architecture, lifelong health, serve and return Media Types: Videos Published: 2011

Webinars

Resource

Place Matters: The Environment We Create Shapes the Foundations of Healthy Development – Overview Webinar

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Resource

IDEAS Toolkit Webinar

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Resource

Early Efforts – A Webinar in Partnership with The Hunt Institute

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