Building a better narrative to support kids
There’s a disconnect between what society claims to value and how we actually support kids. To change this, we must navigate dominant beliefs about children—and whose job it is to care for them. This research is being used to push for child- and family-friendly policies worldwide.
What the Research Tells Us
Zoom out to show shared fates.
People assume children are solely the responsibility of parents. To engender a sense of collective responsibility for our nation’s kids, emphasize society’s stake in ensuring child wellbeing.
Share the science.
Proven metaphors for talking about child development, like brain architecture or toxic stress, help translate the science on early brain development and build understanding of what every child needs.
Expand thinking about adversity.
Show how systems shape children’s environments. Don’t shy away from talking about structural racism or economic inequality as forms of adversity that affect developing brains.
Resources / Child Development
Talking About Racism in Child and Family Advocacy
As the field seeks to lead a more public conversation about the impacts of racism on children and families—and about how racism structures the systems that children and families interact with—intentional framing will help those conversations be more productive.
January 31, 2023