Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative”

          In review the website, Center on Developing Child Harvard University on Working Globally, I found an abundant of information and resource to express the concerns with the gaps in education and health.  I found it very disturbing to know that the “…recent reports estimate that 200 million children fail to reach their full developmental potential by age 5” (Center on Developing Child Harvard University, 2019, para 1).  With gained knowledge thus far, I am sure that number is much higher.  As we have learned the reality that some countries the birth of children is not always documented.  Nevertheless the fact is still that a child’s vital years are prenatal and beyond.  Especially up to age 6, when the brain has received approximately 95% of it’s peak volume.  Of course this can vary, as the numbers of undeveloped children mentioned in this site is proven.  With science we are aware of the facts of the need for healthy development as a child, laying a foundation for their world.  There can be many contributing factors for the reasons children do not receive proper support for healthy development, adversities of many forms.  Along with the fact that there are also many factors that will result to a child suffering from unhealthy development or delayed development.       

            The Center on Developing Child coordinates internationally to support child development.  Working around the globe to strive for a breakthrough for child development in early years and beyond.  The organization has partnered with local organizations in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and more in attempts to create an early childhood movement.  For example, Brazil has numerous organizations that are on the same mission and partner with the Center on Developing Child Harvard University to create a movement for a change in early childhood development.  These are the following organizations in Brazil Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância (NCPI) includes the Center on the Developing Child, Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal (FMCSV), the Medical School of the University of São Paulo, Insper, Sabará Children’s Hospital, and the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard.  Together they have made a huge impact in Brazil.  Training Brazilia Policy makers on ways to incorporate and apply developmental science into programs and policies to support the scientific evidence for child development.  The program’s core activities include: “Building a Brazilian scientific community around early childhood development. NCPI is convening an interdisciplinary group of Brazilian scholars to guide the synthesis and application of scientific knowledge about child development to policymaking and practice in Brazil. It is also fostering collaboration among Harvard and Brazilian researchers, including publication of a working paper series (in Portuguese).

Translating scientific knowledge for application to social policy. This includes working with the Center’s longtime partner organization, the Frameworks Institute, to communicate the science of child development within the Brazilian cultural context in the most effective ways.

Strengthening leadership around early childhood development through an executive leadership course for policymakers.

Launching the iLab Primeira Infância, one of the Latin American Innovation Clusters, to bring researchers, practitioners, and program developers together to co-design and test new strategies for addressing childhood issues in Brazil–and then to share their successes and failures.

Translating and adapting the Center’s existing print and multimedia resources for a Brazilian audience” (Center on the Developing Child, 2019, para 3).  One of the programs that Brazil incorporated was the iLab Primeria Infância, one of the Latin American Innovation Cluster.  It “…drives the development of innovative two-generation strategies that address the unmet challenges of children and families facing adversity” (Center on the Developing Child, 2019, para 1).  This program offers pregnant mothers young in age the opportunities to partake in workshops for those facing adversity.  The program educates and supports encouragement for a strong prenatal bond with their infants.  From information on nutrition for mother, nutrition for the infant, the knowledge and importance of attachment, and more.  Also to include information to fathers.  Courses on preparing low-income families for a new expense.  Reaching out to the caregivers and educating on the quality of childcare and the value of play for children.   The aim to increase the quality of early childhood development is key.  These organizations have laid the foot-work for the beginning of a change for early childhood education/development globally.

            The Center on Developing Child Harvard University also includes the links to these organizations in Brazil.  There is an array of information and movements that in route to make a huge impact I believe.  I encourage anyone interested in knowing what needs to change in the quality of early childhood development and the success of a child should take the time to research this site and then possible engage yourself in the movement.  The issues of equity and excellence has existed and continues to exist throughout the world.  It is organizations such as this one and the others, that aim to break the growing cycle of poor child development.  If a difference does not occur, what will our future become?  As the same issues will always exist with any program, funding and manpower.  Gradually the programs have grown and will continue, but with ample support from an abundance of individuals, we could possible move a bit faster.  Regardless of the pace, the reality is an impact has begun and is continuing to grow in the development of early childhood.                

 

References:

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University. (2019). Working Globally Retrieved from            https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we-do/global-work/

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University. (2019). Brazil: Núcleo Ciência Pela  Infância (NCPI). Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/about/what-we do/global-work/nucleo-ciencia-pela-infancia/

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University. (2019). Latin American Innovation   Clusters. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/innovation            application/innovation-approach/latin-american-innovation-clusters/