The Center for the Developing Child at Harvard shares why reducing the effects of significant adversity on young children's healthy development is critical to the progress and prosperity of any society. Yet not all children experience lasting harm as a result of adverse early experiences. Some may demonstrate "resilience," or an adaptive response to serious hardship. A better understanding of why some children do well despite early adversity is important because it can help us design policies and programs that help more children reach their full potential. These three videos provide an overview of why resilience matters, how it develops, and how to strengthen it in children. 

We know that child development is largely influenced by early interactions with parents and caregivers; however, the community also plays a role in the story of child development. Access to quality healthcare, safe and affordable housing, quality early learning, after school programs and enriching educational, cultural and spiritual experiences all help promote healthy child development.