Developing an Equity-Focused Policy Research Agenda for Low-Income Families with Young Children

Research shows that the earliest years of life are a critical period of human development. Young children’s earliest relationships and experiences have a strong influence on brain development and future health and well-being. Young children’s foundational relationships and experiences occur in the context of families and communities. Yet, low-income families—especially families of color and rural families—often do not have access to the basic necessities and resources to foster the nurturing experiences and stimulating environments that young children need to thrive. What is needed are policies that support low-income families to provide stimulating and nurturing environments to promote children’s healthy physical, socialemotional, and cognitive development and their future success in school and life.