From neurons to neighborhoods: the science of early child development

Executive summary

Setting the stage. Introduction

Rethinking nature and nurture

The challenge of studying culture

Making causal connections

The nature and tasks of early development. Acquiring self-regulation

Communicating and learning

Making friends and getting along with peers

The developing brain

The context for early development. Nurturing relationships

Family resources

Growing up in child care

Neighborhood and community

Promoting health development through intervention

Knowledge into action. Conclusions and recommendations

Appendixes. A. Related reports from the National Academies

B. Defining and estimating causal effects

C. Technologies for studying the developing human brain

D. Biographical sketches.