How Experts Are Reimagining Early Childhood for a Changing World

Most experts working in early childhood development agree: the first years of a child’s life shape not just their academic readiness, but also a child’s lifelong health, resilience, emotional well-being and brain development. But Jack Shonkoff, a professor of child health and development at Harvard University, believes that researchers and policymakers need to expand those conversations in order to address disparities in early childhood.“My plea is: Let's move beyond quickly on the fact that children are our future, and say what we are going to do about that,” said Shonkoff, who is also the director of Harvard’s FirstPlace Partners, an initiative that works with neighborhood leaders and other organizations to apply developmental science and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. “We need new ideas, we need to be bold.”Shonkoff spoke at a TIME100 Talks panel moderated by TIME executive editor Nikhil Kumar in New York City on Wednesday. The panel, which centered on reimagining early childhood in a changing world, also included Pia Rebello Britto, global director of education at UNICEF, and Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president of global education at Sesame Works...