Description:
A vital and productive society with a prosperous and sustainable future is built on a foundation of healthy child development. Health in the earliest years -- beginning with the future mother's well-being before she becomes pregnant -- lays the groundwork for a lifetime of vitality. When developing biological systems are strengthened by positive early experiences, children are more likely to thrive and grow up to be healthy adults. Sound health also provides a foundation for the construction of sturdy brain architecture and the achievement of a broad range of skills and learning capacities.
Key recommendations:
- High-quality early care and education programs can promote health and prevent disease, not just prepare children to succeed in school.
- Child welfare agencies can help prevent long-term adult impairment, not just provide immediate child protection.
- Zoning laws and land development policies can facilitate healthy lifestyles, not just generate commercial profit.
- Alternative child care arrangements for young children whose mothers are mandated to work as a condition of receiving public assistance provide an opportunity to build foundations for healthy development, not just support maternal employment.