Abstract
About the title: The U.S. is the wealthiest, most powerful country in the world. So why has our child well-being fallen to 26th? An alarming number of American children are following low developmental trajectories from the start. They enter adulthood with learning challenges and mental and physical health difficulties.
But population health is not all that’s at risk, researchers argue. By under-investing in early childhood we are also under-developing America
What infants and toddlers need for a strong start is no mystery. A nurturing environment - safe, stable, and responsive – builds sturdy brain architecture, the foundation for future development. The Raising of America interweaves discoveries from neuroscience with the stories of families and communities struggling to provide that nurturing environment their youngest children need. Too often they find their efforts hindered by social and economic forces: stagnant wages and job insecurity, lack of paid parental and family leave, childcare that is both poor quality and financially out of reach, racial stigma and social exclusion.
This growing squeeze for time, money and resources has made American middle-class life increasingly precarious. A 20-year Wisconsin study shows that stressors on parents when their children are infants and toddlers increase the risk of those children growing up with a hyper-reactive ‘fight-or-flight’ stress response. The personal and social costs? More emotional, behavior, substance abuse and learning problems later in life.
Those suffering the most risks however, are the one in four children born into poverty, their parents often feeling guilty and fearful they won’t be able provide what their children need in our fend-for-yourself society.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We all benefit when we as a society better assure that communities, families and caregivers can provide the conditions in which all children have the opportunity to flourish. Pre-school teacher Aiyauna Terry, embracing her young students, puts the challenge this way: “This is the future right here. Invest in them. Invest in their parents. If you want America to get back on top, invest in these children now. They’re not going to fail you, but we can’t fail them now.” The fate of the nation may hang in the balance.
About the series: The Raising of America, by the producers of Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? and Race - The Power of an Illusion, is an ambitious documentary series, online learning hub and public engagement campaign which aims to reframe the way Americans look at early child health and development. It illustrates how a strong start for all our kids leads not only to better learning, earning, and physical and mental health but also to a healthier, safer, better educated, more prosperous nation.
But population health is not all that’s at risk, researchers argue. By under-investing in early childhood we are also under-developing America
What infants and toddlers need for a strong start is no mystery. A nurturing environment - safe, stable, and responsive – builds sturdy brain architecture, the foundation for future development. The Raising of America interweaves discoveries from neuroscience with the stories of families and communities struggling to provide that nurturing environment their youngest children need. Too often they find their efforts hindered by social and economic forces: stagnant wages and job insecurity, lack of paid parental and family leave, childcare that is both poor quality and financially out of reach, racial stigma and social exclusion.
This growing squeeze for time, money and resources has made American middle-class life increasingly precarious. A 20-year Wisconsin study shows that stressors on parents when their children are infants and toddlers increase the risk of those children growing up with a hyper-reactive ‘fight-or-flight’ stress response. The personal and social costs? More emotional, behavior, substance abuse and learning problems later in life.
Those suffering the most risks however, are the one in four children born into poverty, their parents often feeling guilty and fearful they won’t be able provide what their children need in our fend-for-yourself society.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We all benefit when we as a society better assure that communities, families and caregivers can provide the conditions in which all children have the opportunity to flourish. Pre-school teacher Aiyauna Terry, embracing her young students, puts the challenge this way: “This is the future right here. Invest in them. Invest in their parents. If you want America to get back on top, invest in these children now. They’re not going to fail you, but we can’t fail them now.” The fate of the nation may hang in the balance.
About the series: The Raising of America, by the producers of Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick? and Race - The Power of an Illusion, is an ambitious documentary series, online learning hub and public engagement campaign which aims to reframe the way Americans look at early child health and development. It illustrates how a strong start for all our kids leads not only to better learning, earning, and physical and mental health but also to a healthier, safer, better educated, more prosperous nation.
Collection
Subject
Child development--United States, Early childhood education--United States, Education, Preschool--United States, Child care services--Government policy--United States, Child care--Government policy--United States--20th century, United States--Social policy--20th century, Post-traumatic stress disorder in children, Cognition in children, Learning ability--Genetic aspects, Child care--Government policy, Child care services--Government policy, Child development, Early childhood education, Education, Preschool, Social policy, United States
Series
The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation
Contributors
Adelman, Larry (executive producer), Adelman, Larry (collaborator), Smith, Llewellyn (narrator), Scott, Charles (editor), Weeks, Louis (composer), Quiroga, Alejandra JimeÌnez (composer), Fahey, Tom (director of Photography), Herbes-Sommers, Christine (producer), Herbes-Sommers, Christine (director), Vital Pictures (collaborator), California Newsreel (Firm) (distributor), California Newsreel (Firm) (producer)
Duration
00:58:22 (HH:MM:SS)
Language:
English
Target or Intended Audience
adult/continuing education, higher education
Copyright Holder
| Name | California Newsreel |
| Role | distributor |
| Telephone | 415-284-7800 |
| Address | 500 Third Street, Suite #505, San Francisco, CA 94107-1875 |
| [email protected] |
Copyright Date
2015-01-01
Rights Declaration:
This video is protected by copyright. You are free to view it but not download or remix it. Please contact the licensing institution for further information about how you may use this video.
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PID
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Metadata