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Articles on Early childhood

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Using concrete tools or objects matters for fostering mathematical development – but how can children best learn to count by 10? (Shutterstock)

How counting by 10 helps children learn about the meaning of numbers

Findings of a study suggest using a ‘hundreds chart’ showing numbers one through 100, beginning with one in the top-left corner, fosters children’s counting by 10s.
A child’s sense of attachment with parents or caregivers is formed from the consolidation of a series of interactions and responses during the child’s first year of life (and beyond). (Shutterstock)

How children’s secure attachment sets the stage for positive well-being

Parents or caregivers who a child can return to in times of distress to receive comfort or protection provide a secure base for the child from which they feel safe to explore the world.
Investing in non-profit programs that provide culturally-relevant education is important to children and families.

‘Child care’ or education? Words matter in how we envision living well with children

Early childhood education isn’t about warehousing children so adults can go to work. There is an ethical imperative to support a paradigm shift in how our society values educating young children.
Electronic devices are not, in and of themselves, a source of visual problems. Using these devices inappropriately can interfere with the natural development of the eye, as well as reading and learning skills. Shutterstock

Development of vision in early childhood: No screens before age two

The impact of using electronic devices is critical during the first years of life, both visually and on the cognitive and social development of the child.
It is not just the number of words that children hear that is important — the quality of the language children hear also matters. (Shutterstock)

How caregivers can help build children’s emerging language skills

Given the clear importance of language skills for lifelong outcomes, it is critical to set children up early for language success.
Recent advances in research on human development, and brain science in particular, have revealed that traumatic childhood literally changes the human body, affecting brain development. (Shutterstock)

There is an urgent need to prevent the lifelong damage caused by adverse childhood experiences

The impact of early childhood trauma on lifelong physical and mental health makes it urgent to invest in programs to support healthy pregnancies and stable, caring very early childhoods.
Abortion-rights demonstrators hold up letters spelling out ‘My Choice,’ Saturday, May 14, 2022, outside the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Denying abortion access has a negative impact on children and families

Restricting abortion access has negative effects on parents, as well as children and families, including increased poverty, unemployment, pregnancy-related deaths and higher health risks in children.
One child in three is physically or sexually abused or witnesses violence between adults in their home. Other adversities including emotional neglect, living in an unsafe neighbourhood or experiencing prejudice and bullying are even more common. (iStock)

Childhood adversity is a ‘cause of causes’ of adult illnesses and mental health problems

One in three children experiences abuse or neglect. These adverse events increase lifelong risks for chronic diseases and mental health issues, creating a public health hazard hiding in plain sight.

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