Harvard Center for the Developing Child

One of the best websites for research about Child Development is the Harvard Center for the Developing Child. Links to an external site. There are many, many pages and lots of amazing information for you to learn about. Book mark that page and come back to it often! There will be a link at the bottom of the page to subscribe to the newsletter. Do it! 

For this module I want to draw your attention to a particular page on the site. 8 Things to Remember about Child Development.  Links to an external site.

While you are viewing this page, I want you to pay particular attention to #1,2,3, 4, and 8. They are all very important, but those will show up in your reflection prompt. 

1. Even infants and young children are affected adversely when significant stresses threaten their family and caregiving environments.
2. Development is a highly interactive process, and life outcomes are not determined solely by genes.
3. While attachments to their parents are primary, young children can also benefit significantly from relationships with other responsive caregivers both within and outside the family.
4.  A great deal of brain architecture is shaped during the first three years after birth, but the window of opportunity for its development does not close on a child’s third birthday.
5. (8) Resilience requires relationships, not rugged individualism.