Anyone looking for upstream solutions to the biggest problems facing America should look to Nobel Prize winning University of Chicago Economics Professor James Heckman’s work to understand the great gains to be had by investing in the early and equal development of human potential. For more, see HeckmanEquation.org.
The Case of Science-Based Innovation in Early Childhood
The Case for Science-Based Innovation in
Early Childhood (3:01)
Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D.
Describes the mission of the Center on the Developing Child and its vision for using science to innovate in the early childhood field and fundamentally change the lives of children facing adversity.
“People who have had these adverse events in their lives, and not had consistent parenting, have been abused or neglected, will lack this ability to show good emotional control, will have difficulty learning, and will show problems in health—increased risk for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even a shorter lifespan.”
– Tom Boyce, Professor of Interdiscipilary Studies in Pediatricss, University of British Columbia
First Focus on Children is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families the priority in federal policy and budget decisions. Our organization leads a comprehensive advocacy strategy, with its hands-on experience with federal policymaking and a commitment to seeking policy solutions.
Physicians Speak Out on the Importance of Children’s Health
“Trust in Childhood. Understand that play is the work of childhood. Understand that children are able to find a lot of solutions themselves. Let’s trust that. When we do that, we will raise a confident generation. We start there. WE HAVE TO INVEST in childhood and recognize that it is a unique time, a unique time that sets up the next generation that’s going to lead us. We have to INVEST. “
– Dr. Ken Ginsburg, pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia