Investing in children's development: The importance of early relationships

Positioning paper

• The Benevolent Society

Read the full text

Report image

06 September 2010Recent research into brain development in young children has highlighted the importance of secure and supportive relationships for children’s healthy development. Children that have secure relationships with their parents are more able to regulate their own emotions, learn through exploration and cope with difficulties when they arise. This gives them the resilience and skills needed for success at school and in later life.

This paper outlines why it is so important for families, workers and communities to support children’s early development through warm, nurturing care, particularly for children living in families and communities that are under stress because of poverty, violence and discrimination.

This paper looks at some of The Benevolent Society’s programs that help parents, early childhood workers and communities strengthen their relationships with children. All of these programs have helped overcome disadvantage and set vulnerable children on a path to success. Policy and practice directions that are needed to support children’s growth and resilience are also discussed.