Center on the Developing Child

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University was founded in 2006 by Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D. Our mission is to drive science-based innovation that achieves breakthrough impacts on the lives of young children facing adversity. In collaboration with a broad network of research, practice, policy, philanthropic, and community leaders, we generate, synthesize, and translate science that feeds novel ideas; help innovators improve and scale their impact; and cultivate a supportive environment for science-based innovation. We believe that advances in science provide a powerful source of new ideas focused on the early years of life.

Together, we seek transformational impacts on lifelong learning, behavior, and both physical and mental health.