Giving Compass' Take:

• John King and Myra Jones-Taylor explain how certain policy changes could give babies and toddlers a better start in life. 

• How can funders help to shape better futures for young Americans? Which of these policies is the most immediately politically practical? 

• Learn more about a campaign working to advance paid parental leave policies. 

We know the first three years of a baby’s life shape all the rest. In that short period, babies develop more than 1 million new neural connections every second, forming the foundation for later learning.

When our society provides young children with what they need to be healthy and happy, we optimize their chances to succeed. But when babies don’t get what their growing brains need — good health, support for strong families, and positive early learning experiences — they miss out on opportunities to flourish.

To maximize our country’s potential and future prosperity, we must prioritize equity in the earliest years.

To lay the foundation for future learning, behavior and health, all babies and their families need access to high-quality and affordable child care, time for parents to bond with their babies, services that encourage healthy emotional development and supports to ensure strong physical health and nutrition. By investing in policies that fuel babies’ bodies and minds, we can work to promote healthy babies who arrive at preschool and kindergarten ready to learn.

Our shared future and success depend on supporting babies and toddlers of color. With the right supports, every child in every family can get a strong start in life.

Read the full article about policy changes to improve outcomes by John King and Myra Jones-Taylor at The Hechinger Report.