Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood

Science tells us that the foundations of sound mental health are built early in life. Early experiences—including children’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and peers—interact with genes to shape the architecture of the developing brain. Disruptions in this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning and relating to others, with lifelong implications. This 5-minute video provides an overview of Establishing a level of foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood, a working paper by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.