The Science Behind The Basics
The human brain doubles to 70% of adult size during the first year of life, when the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard says there are a million new connections per second! It grows to 80% of adult size by the age of three and 90% by the age of five.
During the same period, the amount and quality of stimulation children experience interacting with parents and others has major impacts on brain architecture, with life-long impacts on social, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing.
These facts are why The Achievement Gap Initiative (AGI) at Harvard University developed The Basics Principles. The goal is to help families from all backgrounds benefit from the unique opportunity that the early years provide to shape a child's future.
Developmental scientists and early-childhood experts helped the AGI distill The Basics Principles from decades of research, to create a clear, inspirational, science-based vocabulary to unify family and community support for early learning and brain development.
The Principles are:
1. Maximize Love, Manage Stress
2. Talk, Sing, and Point
3. Count, Group, and Compare
4. Explore Through Movement and Play
5. Read and Discuss Stories
They support nurturing, give-and-take ("serve and return") relationships starting at birth. By spreading and reinforcing The Basics Principles, communities can promote and democratize the developmental outcomes typically emphasized in early childhood literature and programming
guidelines:
● social-emotional development
● language and literacy development
● cognition and general knowledge
● physical development and wellbeing
● [receptive] approaches to learning
The human brain doubles to 70% of adult size during the first year of life, when the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard says there are a million new connections per second! It grows to 80% of adult size by the age of three and 90% by the age of five.
During the same period, the amount and quality of stimulation children experience interacting with parents and others has major impacts on brain architecture, with life-long impacts on social, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing.
These facts are why The Achievement Gap Initiative (AGI) at Harvard University developed The Basics Principles. The goal is to help families from all backgrounds benefit from the unique opportunity that the early years provide to shape a child's future.
Developmental scientists and early-childhood experts helped the AGI distill The Basics Principles from decades of research, to create a clear, inspirational, science-based vocabulary to unify family and community support for early learning and brain development.
The Principles are:
1. Maximize Love, Manage Stress
2. Talk, Sing, and Point
3. Count, Group, and Compare
4. Explore Through Movement and Play
5. Read and Discuss Stories
They support nurturing, give-and-take ("serve and return") relationships starting at birth. By spreading and reinforcing The Basics Principles, communities can promote and democratize the developmental outcomes typically emphasized in early childhood literature and programming
guidelines:
● social-emotional development
● language and literacy development
● cognition and general knowledge
● physical development and wellbeing
● [receptive] approaches to learning
Our Strategy:
The Basics Mecklenburg is a community-wide movement that unites families and organizations to give every child the best start in life. By embedding five simple, science-backed practices into everyday moments and routine family engagement, we turn ordinary interactions into powerful opportunities for growth. Working across institutions and with dedicated partners, we ensure parents and caregivers are supported by their communities to make early learning a natural part of daily life. Together, we're building a culture where every child has an equal start and the chance to thrive.
The Basics Mecklenburg is a community-wide movement that unites families and organizations to give every child the best start in life. By embedding five simple, science-backed practices into everyday moments and routine family engagement, we turn ordinary interactions into powerful opportunities for growth. Working across institutions and with dedicated partners, we ensure parents and caregivers are supported by their communities to make early learning a natural part of daily life. Together, we're building a culture where every child has an equal start and the chance to thrive.
Get Involved: For Partners
Organizations and institutions play a vital role in embedding five science-backed principles into everyday family interactions. Partner with us to make a lasting impact! Learn about our offerings and collaborative process for engaging families with The Basics. Join the movement and help every child thrive.
Organizations and institutions play a vital role in embedding five science-backed principles into everyday family interactions. Partner with us to make a lasting impact! Learn about our offerings and collaborative process for engaging families with The Basics. Join the movement and help every child thrive.
Get Involved: For Parents & Caregivers
You are your child's first teacher! Discover five simple, science-backed practices that make everyday moments powerful learning opportunities.
You are your child's first teacher! Discover five simple, science-backed practices that make everyday moments powerful learning opportunities.
Start today and give your child the best start in life.