{"id":628,"date":"2013-08-21T19:40:52","date_gmt":"2013-08-21T19:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/?page_id=628"},"modified":"2025-07-08T18:22:32","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T18:22:32","slug":"dh-3-2-shaping-public-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/content.scienceofecd.com\/secd-intro\/dh-3-2-shaping-public-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"DH 3.2 Shaping public policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Using the developmental health perspective to think about child development clarifies why it is important to support the well-being of young children and ultimately to create healthy and competent populations. The future of humanity depends on our capacity to cope with the many complex challenges in the 21st century. We need strong, healthy children who grow into competent adults, capable of coping with the challenges of survival and quality of life in the “global village”. Everyone involved in making policy decisions should always keep this perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Early Years Study 4<\/em>, the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain calls on governments to offer early education to all preschool-aged children. “The benefits are large, as are the costs of inaction. We cannot afford to squander the untold talents of another generation. When Canadian children thrive, Canada thrives” (McCain,  2020, p. 4)\u200b. Read Chapter 4 highlights to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n
<\/div>\n
\n READ<\/span>Early Years Study 4: Chapter 4 highlights<\/span><\/span> \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

In the next video, Dr. Charles Nelson at Harvard University asks policy makers to pay attention to the science of early development. He also encourages them to take a long term view because what happens early in life matters later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n VIEW<\/span>\n Nelson – recommendations to policy makers (1:53)<\/span>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n