Education Now Nurturing Relationships in Early Childhood Education Now explains "early relational health" and why it matters for children and caregivers Posted March 6, 2024 By News editor Cognitive Development Early Education Families and Community Informal and Out-of-School Learning Social Emotional Learning Teachers and Teaching While many early childhood frameworks have focused primarily on the healthy development of children, an emerging framework known as “early relational health” stresses the importance of nurturing the broader human ecosystem around babies and toddlers as well. In this episode, experts explore key principles that can guide practitioners and leaders on the front lines of education, health, and social services. Guests:Thelma Ramirez, researcher, HGSE, and co-author of Early Relational Health: A Review of Research, Principles, and Perspectives Jessica Sager, co-founder and CEO, All Our KinHost:Junlei Li, Saul Zaentz senior lecturer in early childhood education, faculty co-chair, Human Development and Education Program, HGSE Key Takeaways Relational health is the foundation of physical, mental, and behavioral health for the child, the family, and the community.A renewed focus on relational health means caring about the child and human beings on the other end of the relationships - the parents, the caregivers, and the professionals who help them.To build relational health in our community, we need to advocate for an ecosystem of healthy relationships all around families, schools, and communities. Resources: Why Relationships Matter in our Earliest Years - Usable Knowledge Early Relational Health: A Review of Research, Principles, and Perspectives - Nurture Connection All Our Kin What is Early Childhood Development? A Guide to the Science - Harvard Center on the Developing Child Early Relational Health - American Academy of Pediatrics Family Child Care Providers' Experience in Health Promotion - Innovations in Family and Community Health Family Child Care Providers As Health Educators & Advocates: Perspectives Of Parents, Health Care Providers and Community Service Providers Education Now A webinar and newsletter series to shape new approaches to challenges in education Explore All Articles Related Articles Education Now Back to School - Moving Forward from Here HGSE experts surface key challenges and concerns for educators, leaders, and families — and share concrete ideas for addressing them. Education Now How to Help Kids Become Skilled Citizens An exploration of ways in which educators can instill civic identity in students Education Now Confronting Bullying in the Cyber Age Tips and insight from experts about the impacts of online bullying in children