How Adults Can Lessen "Toxic Stress" in Kids

Almost one in four children live in poverty in America, according to a recently published report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The long-term consequences of childhood poverty are bleak to say the least, but the report has a clear-cut policy recommendation to address this issue: invest in interventions that focus on early childhood development.

This recommendation fits directly with the new five-minute video above, narrated by Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff, Director of Harvard's Center on the Developing Child. It depicts a theory of change from the Frontiers of Innovation community for achieving breakthrough outcomes for children and families. It describes the need to focus on building the capabilities of caregivers and strengthening the communities that together form the environment of relationships essential to children's lifelong learning, health, and behavior.