My new book, "The Brain Development Revolution: Science, the Media, and Public Policy" explores how brain development became headline news, and its implications for how we think about young children's development, and ourselves. amazon.com/Brain-Development…

Following up: If you wonder why affordable child care is so hard to find, the term "market failure" should become familiar to you, as it has to the U.S. Treasury (even without considering the cost of high quality care for young children). home.treasury.gov/system/fil…

A compelling argument from a Novel Prize-winning economist (no, not James Hickman) for the importance of investing in children, especially those in poverty. Hard to disagree messaging-custom-newsletters…

As the Child Care is Essential Act is introduced in Congress, a proposed $50 billion investment in the essential care of young children, here is wise advice on how to reconstitute a child care system that is developmentally enhancing. nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opini…

You don't have to write King Lear while sheltering in place. vox.com/culture/2020/4/17/21…

. . . and be patient with others in your life, especially children (who may not know why they're impatient or reacting emotionally to small provocations - but you do) and partners on whom you normally rely for support (same parentheses).

Even if you haven't lost your job or have become ill (or know someone who has), the uncertainty and unpredictability of these times are stressful. Your disturbed sleep and distractibility are some of the signs of worry beneath the surface. Be patient with yourself.

What are young children's unexpressed questions (such as how long before we can go back to the way things were? why can't I have friends or my grandparents over? am I going to get sick?)? What are our own unexpressed questions?

Our of the outcomes of being with our own children 24/7 is realizing how taxing (as well as fulfilling) is devoting ourselves to kiddos and their unpredictability - perhaps a new national appreciation for those who care for others' kiddos full time will result . . .

but remember that as caregivers, we need to take care of ourselves. As you are answering young children's anxious questions, be aware of your own anxieties and find ways of getting support (from another adult, from stress-reducing media or a good novel) to feed your spirit. . .

Good advice for parents and others caring for young children while sheltering in place.

"What's gaining visibility right now is the fact that it is child care that allows every other industry to work." Time for due recognition and support. citylab.com/life/2020/04/cor…

Ross Douthat's @DouthatNYT description of contemporary culture is fascinating and disturbing. I would add another indication of cultural decadence: our society's disinvestment in children as a reflection of loss of hope for the future. nytimes.com/2020/02/07/opini…

In the early years, in children's environment of relationships, the irreducible core of children's experience is what they share with people who matter. nytimes.com/2019/11/04/well/…

A year after an executive order prohibiting the separation of migrant children from their families at the border, hundreds more children have been separated, many living in filth, deprivation, and ill-health. Such cruelty to children is breathtaking. nytimes.com/2019/06/21/opini…

Patty Murray at the rally. #ThinkBabies

Nancy Pelosi speaking today at Strolling Thunder #ThinkBabies

Would could $5.6 billion buy, besides a border wall? How many places for young children in high quality early education programs? How many families assisted through home visitation? How many schools improved, neighborhoods strengthened, child health programs increased?