Early Childhood Experiences and Lifelong Health

Did you know that early childhood experiences and environments have an impact on all body systems, not just the brain? Early experiences affect lifelong health as well as early learning and school readiness.

This animated video, narrated by Center on the Developing Child Director Jack P. Shonkoff, outlines what the latest science tells us. It is a quick introduction to the effects of childhood adversities on the developing brain and many other systems in the body. The negative experiences include poverty, discrimination, systemic racism, exposure to violence, and child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect.

To learn more, read:

Family literacy programs contribute to positive early childhood experiences. They support parents and caregivers in learning about early childhood development. The benefits for children and adults can be long term.

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