The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University was established in 2006 by Center Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D. The founding mission was to generate, translate, and apply scientific knowledge that would close the gap between what we know and what we do to improve the lives of children facing adversity. Initially, the Center used existing knowledge about early childhood development to educate policymakers and build support for early investment. Over time, the Center increasingly turned to science as a source of new ideas for dramatically improving child outcomes. The Center now views existing best practices as a starting point, not a destination. The Center’s current mission is to drive science-based innovation that achieves breakthrough outcomes for children facing adversity.

The vision of the Center leverages science and the real-world experience of practitioners, policymakers, pediatricians, and families to build the knowledge, shape the mindsets, and develop the skills and tools required to create more effective early childhood policies and programs.