 | The First Three Years and Beyond: Brain Development and Social Policy Subjects: Child development; Infants -- Development; Brain -- Research -- Social aspects; Child welfare -- United States; Family policy -- United States; United States -- Social policy -- Evaluation; Recommendations for infant and toddler care and development based on current brain research and its implications How much do children's early experiences affect their cognitive and social development? How important is the parent's role in child development? Is it possible to ameliorate or reverse the consequences of early developmental deficits? This vitally important book draws on the latest research from the social sciences and studies on the brain to answer these questions and to explore what they mean for social policy and child and family development. The authors affirm that sound social policy providing for safe and appropriate early care, education, health care, and parent support is critical not only for the optimal development of children, but also for strengthening families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Offering a wealth of advice and recommendations, they explain: * the benefits of family leave, child care, and home visitation programs; * the damage that child abuse inflicts; * the vital importance of nutrition (and breast feeding) for pregnant women and young children; * the adverse effects that occur in misguided efforts to disseminate research too early; * and more. Written by experts in the field of early child development, care, and education, the book is essential reading for parents and policymakers alike. Edward Frank Zigler was born in Kansas City, Missouri on March 1, 1930. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas City in 1954 and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1958. He joined the Yale University faculty as an assistant professor of psychology in 1959. He was a psychologist who in the mid-1960s helped design Head Start. He was an early advocate of guaranteed time off from work for new parents, the teaching of child-rearing skills to teenagers, and the integration of health and social service programs and day care into neighborhood public school buildings. Under President Richard M. Nixon, Zigler was chief of the children's bureau of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in early 1970. Within months the bureau became the Office of Child Development and he became its first permanent director. He was the author or editor of 40 books. He died from complications of coronary artery disease on February 7, 2019 at the age of 88. (Bowker Author Biography) |
