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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Increasing attention is being placed in the medical and public space on the mental health of infants and young children. Among mental health providers, infant mental health generally refers to children 3 years of age and younger, while early childhood mental health refers to children ages 3-5. This contrasts…
![Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
Handout
How to Help Families and Staff Build Resilience During the Covid-19 Outbreak
What can we do to build up and strengthen resilience during the COVID-19 outbreak? How can we build resilience to plan ahead for future times of crisis? This resource, with practical tips and suggestions for providers looking to support caregivers and each other, presents three science-based ways that we can…
![How to Help Families and Staff Build Resilience During the Covid-19 Outbreak](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AdobeStock_371931782-scaled.jpg)
Third Party Link
How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers
How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers…
![How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
Third Party Link
A Guide to Toxic Stress
This area of the website for the Center on the Developing Child provides a collection of resources for understanding toxic stress and resilience. A Guide to Toxic Stress…
![A Guide to Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains
This page contains a collection of resources about the concept of “serve and return” interactions. It includes an introduction to the basics of serve and return and the science behind it and includes videos that can be shared with caregivers about how serve and return interactions build brains. For…
![A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![Key Concepts: Brain Architecture](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![Building Core Capabilities for Life](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-reading.jpg)
Third Party Link
Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change
Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change…
![Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Reading
The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood
This report from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs explains how the earliest years lay the groundwork for lifelong health. When children have positive early experiences, they strengthen their developing biological systems and are more likely to thrive and become…
![The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
![From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
Working Paper
Maternal Depression Can Undermine the Development of Young Children
This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs examines why addressing the consequences of serious depression in parents and caregivers could support the future prosperity and well-being of both children and society as a whole.
![Maternal Depression Can Undermine the Development of Young Children](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP8.jpg)
Reading
Strategies for Effectively Communicating about Toxic Stress
This guide from the Frameworks Institute provides suggestions on how to frame conversations with caregivers who may have experienced toxic stress themselves. It makes 5 key framing suggestions that can help providers to highlight resilience, reduce caregiver guilt and raise the public health nature of the problem of toxic stress.
![Strategies for Effectively Communicating about Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
![InBrief: The Impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![Moving Upstream: Confronting Racism to Open Up Children’s Potential](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
Third Party Link
The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress
Read the article at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
![The Lifelong Effects of Early Childhood Adversity and Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Role of the Pediatrician: Translating Developmental Science into Lifelong Health
Read the article at the American Academy of Pediatrics.
![Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Role of the Pediatrician: Translating Developmental Science into Lifelong Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
Capitalizing on Advances in Science to Reduce the Health Consequences of Early Childhood Adversity
Read the article at JAMA Network.
![Capitalizing on Advances in Science to Reduce the Health Consequences of Early Childhood Adversity](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Impacts of Racism on the Foundations of Health
Read the article at Annual Reviews.
![Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Impacts of Racism on the Foundations of Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP3.jpg)
![Persistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Children’s Learning and Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP9.jpg)
![InBrief: The Science of Neglect](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
Working Paper
The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain
![The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP12.jpg)
![InBrief: Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare Systems](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare Systems](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)
Third Party Link
Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood
Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood…
![Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP1.jpg)
![Children’s Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of their Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP2.jpg)
![Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP4.jpg)
![The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP5.jpg)
![Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP10.jpg)
Working Paper
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](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP15.jpg)
Working Paper
Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation
![Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP14.jpg)
Working Paper
Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function
![Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP11.jpg)
![InBrief: The Science of Resilience](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
Third Party Link
Genes, Environments, and Time: The Biology of Adversity and Resilience
This February 2021 article by Tom Boyce, Pat Levitt, Fernando Martinez, Bruce McEwen and Jack Shonkoff article in the journal Pediatrics is one of two companion pieces. The article uses a gene-environment-time framework to look at the roles of genetic variation, environmental context, and developmental timing as they relate to…
![Genes, Environments, and Time: The Biology of Adversity and Resilience](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
Leveraging the Biology of Adversity and Resilience to Transform Pediatric Practice
This February 2021 article by Jack P. Shonkoff, Thomas Boyce, Pat Levitt, Fernando D. Martinez and Bruce McEwen is one of two companion pieces in the journal Pediatrics. The article highlights how the different outcomes experienced by children are shaped by ongoing adaptations to context that begin very early and…
![Leveraging the Biology of Adversity and Resilience to Transform Pediatric Practice](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Working Paper
Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience
This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child explains how supportive relationships with adults help children develop resilience, or the set of skills needed to respond to adversity and thrive.
![Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP13.jpg)
Third Party Link
Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class
Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class…
![Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![Experiences Build Brain Architecture](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It
Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It…
![Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
Third Party Link
FrameWorks: Changing the Childhood Obesity Conversation to Improve Children’s Health
![FrameWorks: Changing the Childhood Obesity Conversation to Improve Children’s Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Framing Early Relational Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
Third Party Link
FrameWorks: Reframing Children’s Mental Health
Read the article at the Frameworks Institute…
![FrameWorks: Reframing Children’s Mental Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![8 Things to Remember about Child Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/iStock-childdevelopment.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Effectively Communicating about Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Reframing Childhood Adversity](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Framing the Overload Metaphor](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-infographics.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Framing How Brains are Built](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image.jpg)
![What We Can Do About Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![What Is Inflammation? And Why Does It Matter for Child Development?](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![How Racism Can Affect Child Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![ACEs and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
Reading
Special Considerations for Children in Foster Care
Children in foster care commonly face adversity far exceeding that of typical childhood. All children experience tolerable, temporary stressors as a normal part of learning and growing, such as a first day in a new school or performing on stage in front of an audience. These experiences are healthy and…
![Special Considerations for Children in Foster Care](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-reading.jpg)