# Early Childhood Development ### **10 Years of the Harvard-Brazil Initiative on Early Childhood Development (2011-2021)** ![Cover of 10 Year Report](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/drclas2/files/ecd_report_.png) For more than 10 years, DRCLAS has worked with a diverse network of Harvard and Brazilian collaborators to foster an initiative aiming to advance early childhood development research, education, policy and practice. This 10-year report provides an overview of the Harvard-Brazil Early Childhood Development Initiative, highlighting a range of projects, findings, outcomes and impacts linked to the initiative. [- Access the Interactive Flipbook](https://online.flippingbook.com/view/974631689/) [- Download the PDF](/file_url/1170) ### **Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância** Co-founded with the [Center on the Developing Child](http://developingchild.harvard.edu/) at Harvard University, the [Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal Foundation](http://www.fmcsv.org.br/), [Insper](http://www.insper.edu.br/) and [University of São Paulo Medical School](http://www.fm.usp.br/), the [Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância](http://www.ncpi.org.br/) (NCPI) is a collective impact initiative that aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge, public policy and practice to benefit young children in Brazil and around the world. ### **Executive Leadership Program on Early Childhood Development** NCPI's flagship program is the Executive Leadership Program on Early Childhood Development, which has taken place annually since 2012. This innovative program aims to transform scientific knowledge into real-world impact and has trained more than 350 Brazilian policy and civil society leaders to date. It begins with an intensive, week-long course at Harvard, followed by a distance-learning module for action plan development, and concluding with a workshop at Insper in São Paulo. More information on the Executive Leadership Program on Early Childhood Development is available in [Portuguese](http://www.fmcsv.org.br/pt-br/o-que-fazemos/ncpi/Paginas/elp.aspx) and in [English](http://developingchild.harvard.edu/collective-change/learning-communities-in-action/executive-leadership-program/). In 2015, NCPI created [a Brazil-based course](http://veja.abril.com.br/educacao/curso-de-harvard-sobre-primeira-infancia-chega-ao-brasil/) to expand the program's accessibility and impact, a second edition of which was held in 2017. ### **iLab Primeira Infância** Part of the Center on the Developing Child's [Frontiers of Innovation](https://developingchild.harvard.edu/innovation-application/frontiers-of-innovation/) platform, the *iLab Primeira Infância* drives the development of innovative two-generation strategies that address the unmet challenges of children and families facing adversity. More information about the iLab is available in [Portuguese ](http://www.fmcsv.org.br/pt-br/o-que-fazemos/ncpi/Paginas/iLab.aspx)and in [English](https://developingchild.harvard.edu/innovation-application/innovation-approach/latin-american-innovation-clusters/). ## News about Early Childhood Development [### Simpósio Internacional de Educação Infantil debateu avanços e desafios nas políticas públicas para a Primeira Infância ](https://fundacaobracell.org.br/simposio-internacional-de-educacao-infantil-debateu-avancos-e-desafios-nas-politicas-publicas-para-a-primeira-infancia/) October 17, 2025 Especialistas nacionais e internacionais discutiram as políticas públicas de Educação Infantil no Brasil e no mundo. ![Simposio Internacional de Educacao Infantil](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-10/Simposio-Internacional-de-Educacao-Infantil-debateu-avancos-e-desafios-nas-politicas-publicas-para-a-Primeira-Infancia-853x591-1.jpg?itok=OHhz3BCf) [### From Small Moments to Big Change: Reflections from the Early Childhood Leadership Program ](/news/2025/elp) September 03, 2025 What if the most important investment in Brazil’s future lies not in massive infrastructure or sweeping reforms, but in the simple moments of care and connection between young children and the adults around them? That was the challenge Professor Junlei Li... ![Classroom with progam participants and speaker at front](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-08/25-06-04%20ELP%20Brazil_068.jpg?itok=-R57hbfu) [### Language as a Bridge: Advancing Literacy Through Interactions in Brazil ](/news/2025/07/language-bridge-advancing-literacy-through-interactions-brazil) July 14, 2025 What do everyday conversations between adults and toddlers have to do with teenagers understanding textbooks—or with national education policy? Quite a lot, actually. That connection was at the heart of the “Language Development: Comprehension... ![png](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-07/Captura%20de%20tela%202025-07-14%20161221.png?itok=-wK0Rha_) [### Diversity, Equity, and Climate Change Take Center Stage at Brazil's Early Childhood Program ](/news/diversity-equity-and-climate-change-take-center-stage-brazil%E2%80%99s-early-childhood-program) July 23, 2024 Last month, policymakers and experts from all across Brazil were gathered at Harvard to delve into the science of childcare and development through the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) on Early Childhood Development (ECD). Through global and local... description