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Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff led a thought-provoking discussion during Lesley University’s Conversation on Child Homelessness and Child Development, a day-long event in November that gathered a wide array of experts, educators and students to discuss issues of child homelessness and development as part of Lesley’s groundbreaking Child Homelessness in Massachusetts Initiative.

Shonkoff, the Julius B. Richmond FAMRI Professor of Child Health and Development at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is Director of the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. He spoke to a packed house in the Lesley University Hall Amphitheater, delivering the inaugural lecture for the Child Homelessness Initiative on the use of science and practice to protect and nurture the well-being of children. Lesley Professor Emerita Nancy Carlsson-Paige, an early childhood educator, moderated his talk.

Lesley's conversation on child homelessness and development was sponsored by Laurie Schoen '86 and the Schoen Family Foundation. Above, Laurie moderates a panel discussion on curriculum and research opportunities in the area of child homelessness.

The Conversation on Child Homelessness and Child Development included workshops and plenary sessions featuring experts such as Sherri Killins, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, and leaders on housing and homelessness as well as experts in trauma, homelessness and childhood development from agencies including: the National Center for Family Homelessness, Horizons for Homeless Children, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Home for Little Wanderers, St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center, the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition, and Salem State University, as well as Lesley University professors Susan Gere, Joanne Szamreta, Robin Roth, Jan Wall, Brian Becker and Heather MacDonald.

In 2000, under the auspices of the National Academy of Science and National Institute of Medicine, Shonkoff chaired a blue ribbon committee that produced the landmark report, From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development, which he drew upon during his lecture to emphasize the importance of the intersection of science, medicine and policy to direct national childhood policy.

“That’s the important part,” said Shonkoff. “There’s a real science here. This is not just feeling good about kids, and ‘Let’s be nice to them.’”

Shonkoff discussed how comprehensive neurological research now supports the claim that early environments matter a great deal for children’s lifelong emotional, cognitive and physical development and wellbeing. He said the relationships children have with the important people in their young lives- including those who work in early childhood education – play a key role.

Advocating for the development of new and innovative programs and policies based on research, Shonkoff argued that using science to sway policy is more effective than tapping into people’s sense of moral responsibility. He praised Lesley’s leadership in the education field, as well as the new Child Homelessness Initiative.

“My favorite topic is not so much looking back, but looking forward as to where things are going. … Just getting money for programs that are struggling already is not enough,” said Shonkoff. “You’re here to learn how to move this field to a new place – you’re part of creating a new future…. It’s wonderful you’re here at Lesley.”

Established by Lesley University with the support from the Schoen Family Foundation and Lesley College Alumna Laurie Schoen, ’86, the Child Homelessness in Massachusetts Initiative is designed to draw attention to the growing number of children and families without adequate shelter, and develop resources and initiate hands-on work with homeless children through Lesley’s faculty, students, alumni network and expansive educational partnerships.