James F Leckman, Liliana Angelica Ponguta, Gabriela Pavarini, Sascha D Hein, Michael F McCarthy, Haifa Staiti, Suna Hanöz-Penney, Joanna Rubinstein, Kyle D Pruett, M Yanki Yazgan, N Shemrah Fallon, Franz J Hartl, Margalit Ziv, Rima Salah, Pia Rebello Britto, Siobhán Fitzpatrick, Catherine Panter-Brick
Children's environments - especially relationships with caregivers - sculpt not only developing brains but also multiple bio-behavioral systems that influence long-term cognitive and socioemotional outcomes, including the ability to empathize with others and interact in prosocial and peaceful ways. This speaks to the importance of investing resources in effective and timely programs that work to enhance early childhood development (ECD) and, by extension, reach communities at-scale. Given the limited resources currently devoted to ECD services, and the devastating impact of COVID-19 on children and communities, there is a clear need to spur government leaders and policymakers to further invest in ECD and related issues including gender and racial equity...
November 2021: Comprehensive psychoneuroendocrinology