Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 2

After reviewing the Harvard University’s “Global Children’s Initiative” website (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/initiatives/global_initiative/, a was able to obtain many information in regards to early childhood issues that I ignored as well as have the opportunity to explore this wonderful website.

One important insight that I learned is the mission that the Center on the Developing Child has. It believes that all society depends on the amount of positive experiences providing to children as soon as they are born. These experiences will help them develop at their fullest, as well as to become responsible and productive adults and members of our society. They strongly believe that a healthy child development is that foundation of a countries economic prosperity as well as society. Among the things they are committed is to prepare current and future leaders to make science-based policy decisions, create an understanding on how to reduce preventable disparities in well being, creating and conducting effective science-based policies.

A second insight I gained was on the effects chemicals have in the development of fetus. Toxic substances have the capacity to disrupt the development of all of the body’s organ system. The nature and severity of the disruption depend upon the type of substance, the level and duration of exposure, and most important on the timing during the developing process (Harvard University). These toxins can weaken the structure of the brain resulting in permanent impairments that can impact the child’s learning, behavior, and health. Currently each year between 2000 to 3000 new chemicals are brought the United States, and only 43% chemicals are tested for human toxicity, and only 7% have been evaluated for their potential effects on development.

The last insight I gained was on a community psychologist Hirokazu Yoshkawa, his expertise revolves around improving the lives of children and families. He is a professor of education from Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and a Center-affiliated faculty member. As a member of the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs, he co-leads the team that is building the nation’s most comprehensive database of early childhood program evaluation studies. Yoshikawa also studies early childhood development internationally, conducting a project on the development of young children and adolescents in Nanjing, China, as well as evaluating a program for young children in Santiago, Chile known as Un Buen Comienzo (UBC). He has been conducting research in early childhood development since the early 1990s, well before his arrival at Harvard in 2006. His job is good example of what many of us could do and promote all around the world, improving early childhood services is a growing interest in many countries of the world.