Leading experts in early childhood development gathered in New York City on Wednesday for a TIME100 Talks panel, arguing that the foundational years of a child’s life are critical not only for academic preparation but also for long-term health, emotional resilience, and brain development. The discussion focused on how policymakers and researchers must expand their approaches to address growing disparities in early childhood outcomes.
Jack Shonkoff, a professor at Harvard University and director of its FirstPlace Partners initiative, urged attendees to move past generic statements about children being the future and instead commit to actionable strategies. “We need new ideas, we need to be bold,” Shonkoff said during the session, which was moderated by TIME executive editor Nikhil Kumar.
Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF’s global director of education, outlined the organization’s strategy to create practical interventions that help children globally. She emphasized three core pillars: ensuring adequate nutrition, fostering play to stimulate brain connections, and providing a foundation of love and protection, particularly for children affected by conflict or climate change.
Rosemarie Truglio, senior vice president of global education at Sesame Workshop, highlighted the organization’s focus on the “play” component. She noted that their mission is to help children become smarter, stronger, and kinder, stressing that social empathy and perspective-taking are essential for building a compassionate future society.
The panelists identified significant systemic barriers to implementing equitable programs. Shonkoff pointed to a prevalent “us versus them” mentality, where resources are prioritized for one’s own children rather than recognizing that global health benefits everyone. Britto added that while every adult desires the best for their child, this aspiration has not translated into political voting power or commercial incentives, leaving maternal and child health underfunded by governments.
To bridge these gaps, both UNICEF and Sesame Workshop are prioritizing direct engagement with communities. Britto described efforts to bring teachers, parents, and caregivers into policy conversations, while Truglio insisted that content creation must be guided by practical feedback from administrators and families rather than developed in isolation.
Addressing the role of emerging technologies, the experts agreed that while artificial intelligence will reshape educational methods, it cannot replace fundamental human needs. Shonkoff described social connection as a survival instinct as vital as hunger or thirst, one that remains unchanged by digital advancements. Truglio cautioned that while AI can be a useful tool, early childhood educators must protect the development of basic cognitive processing skills that cannot be delegated to machines.
The event, titled “Starting Strong: Reimagining Early Childhood for a Changing World,” was presented by Reliance.
Could we get specific examples of successful community engagement models? The article mentions the approach but lacks concrete case studies.
The point about us-versus-them mentality really stuck with me. How do we convince leaders that investing globally actually benefits themselves?
I’m skeptical we’ll see real political will here. Without funding incentives, these policies remain just nice ideas on paper.
Finally, someone is saying it: play isn’t just fun, it’s fundamental brain development. We need to stop treating it as optional.