Webinar: Early Learning Approaches and Their Impact on Whole Child Development

and School Success

March 10, 2021

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INDIANA YOUTH INSTITUTE WEBINAR| MARCH 2021

EARLY LEARNING APPROACHES AND THEIR IMPACT ON

WHOLE-CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL SUCCESS

Eboni C. Howard, Managing Researcher

Copyright © 2021 American Institutes for Research®. All rights reserved.

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Topics

1. Whole-Child Development and School Success

2. Why Do the Early Childhood Years Matter?

3. Racial Equity: Inequalities at the Start of Life

4. The Science of Learning and Development

5. What Do We Know About What Works in Early Childhood?

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Whole-Child Development and School Success• Academic Skills

– School readiness

– Success by third grade

– High school and college graduation

• Social and Emotional Competencies

– Behavior regulation

– Peer relations

• Physical well-being and motor skills

• Life Satisfaction and Success

– Security and financial stability

– Resilient, empathetic, and happy

– Opportunity to thrive7

A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T ES F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Why Do the Early Childhood Years Matter?• The relationship between nature

(our genes, biology, and physiological systems) and nurture (our physical and social environments) is complex.

• Nature and nurture factors can vary across time and place and among individuals.

• Starts at conception, expands prenatally, and explodes at birth through the early childhood years.

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The Story of Human Potential

A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T ES F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Brain Development: Why It Matters• Brain development occurs

rapidly in the early years of life.

• Neural circuits are wired in a bottom-up sequence.

• Pruning occurs for circuits not used or developed.

• Early life experiences impact early brain development.

• The capacity for change decreases with age.

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Source: Osher, D. et al. (2017, January). Science of Learning and Development: A Synthesis. Retrieved from https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/Science-of-Learning-and-Development-Synthesis-Osher-January-2017.pdf

A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T E S F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Racial Equity: Inequalities at the Start of Life• It is essential to create conditions that

give all children a fair opportunity to thrive and to be successful, especially those who historically have been marginalized because of their race.

• Not all children have equal chances to experience supportive interactions and enriching environments.

• Disparities stemming from inequalities in life circumstances emerge early in life. Source: Christina Noel (https://www.christinanoelphotography.net/)

Black Lives Matter Protest, Chicago IL. Used with permission.

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Attachment Theory: Why it Matters• Serve-and-return processes

• Early relational patterns are influential.

Source: Mary Belin. Used with permission.

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A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T E S F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

What Interventions Work in Early Childhood?

• What do we think works to give children the opportunity to be healthy, safe, and grow into strong children and productive adults?

Photo credit: Author’s personal photo collection.

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A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T ES F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Types of Early Childhood Interventions• Early Childhood Education and

Care Programs

• Home Visitation and Parent Support Programs

• Family Income and Support Programs

• Child Abuse Prevention and Early Intervention Services

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Source: Howard, E. (2015, August). What Matters Most for Children: Influencing Inequality at the Start of Life. Retrieved from https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report/Early-Childhood-Education-Equity-Howard-August-2015.pdf

A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T E S F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Children, Family, and Systems of Supports• Vulnerable, Unequal, Flawed

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A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T ES F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

Looking Ahead: Principles for Improvement• Support responsive

relationships.

• Teach key skills that matter for school success.

• Strengthen life skills of children and adults.

• Reduce sources of stress in the lives of children and families.

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Source: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2017). Three principles to improve outcomes for children and families. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-early-childhood-development-principles-improve-child-family-outcomes/

A M E R I C A N I N S T I T U T E S F O R R E S E A R C H ® | A I R . O R G

T H A N K Y O U

Notice of Trademark: “American Institutes for Research” and “AIR” are registered trademarks. All other brand, product, or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

E B O N I C . H OWA R DMANAGING RESEARCHER

EHOWARD@AIR.ORG

Copyright © 2021 American Institutes for Research®. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, website display, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the American Institutes for Research. For permission requests, please use the Contact Us form on www.air.org. XXXXX_MO/21

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