Guides: Early Learning: Child Development

Child Develpment

What is it that makes these early experiences so formative? From the time we are born, our experiences play a significant role in shaping the way we think, learn, and respond to the world around us. Positive experiences can help children develop and grow, but negative experiences can impact a child's ability to learn. Below is information about how experiences impact young children, and resources to support their growth.

What is Early Childhood Development? A Guide to the Science
Check out the Harvard Center on the Developing Child's guide to early child development and the resources below to learn more about the science behind the first three years.

Experiences Build Brains

Baby's Brain Begins Now: Conception to Age Three
The Urban Child Institute provides an overview of how a child's brain develops from prenatal stages to age three.
Caring Relationships: The Heart of Early Brain Development
NAEYC reports on the ways in which positive relationships support children's brain development.
Growing Young Minds: How Museums and Libraries Create Lifelong Learners
An in depth look at the roles museums and libraries play in a child’s early learning.
Libraries: Making a Difference in Early Childhood Brain Development
Information regarding how library can support the early learning of young children in their communities.

Executive Function & Self Regulation

A Guide to Executive Function
Harvard Center on the Developing Child's research on executive function and self regulation skills in children.
Executive Function Activity Guide
Guide to activities that build executive function skills for infants to adolescents
Mind in the Making Activity Sheet
Information about activities that correlate to specific executive function and self regulation skills for various ages.
How Museums and Libraries can Strengthen EF Life Skills
A report from Mind in the Making about various programs and services that museums and libraries have developed that build executive function and self regulation skills.

Developmental Milestones

Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones for newborns through age five.
Zero to Three Age Based Developmental Tips
Age based handouts and research to answer FAQ
Developing Social-Emotional Skills
Zero to Three's recommendations for helping young children build social emotional skills
Storytime Developmental Milestone Checklist
Melissa Depper discusses how she considers developmental milestones for children when planning storytimes and activities.

Stress and Development

Stress and Development
Harvard Center on the Developing Child's guide to stress, adversity, and resilience in young children.
Toxic Stress in the Library: The Upstream Impact of Life Adversity on Children
Dr. Janina Fariñas and Johanna Ulloa Girón MSW present on toxic stress and how libraries can develop programs and services to support patrons.
Whole People 101: Childhood Trauma
A TPT production that examines the impact that adverse childhood experiences have on a person's development and investigates trauma informed practices.