Research Reaffirms Connection Between Poverty and Brain Development – and How to Address It

By Michael Williams
Children’s Council of San Francisco Deputy Director of Programs

New research from Washington University in St. Louis demonstrates the damaging effects of poverty on young children’s brains, while pointing to a powerful counter-measure: the love of nurturing parents and caregivers. “We’ve known for many years that exposure to poverty is one of the most powerful predictors of poor developmental outcomes for children,” said principal investigator Joan L. Luby, MD. “What’s new is that our research shows the effects of poverty on the developing brain…are strongly influenced by parenting and life stresses that the children experience.”

The Center for the Study of Social Policy has culled the research to identify at least five “Protective Factors” for families:

• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Social and emotional competence of children
• Concrete support in times of need
• Knowledge of parenting and child development

At Children’s Council of San Francisco, we assist families in all of these areas. Our Resource & Referral services support informed child care choices that can bolster parents’ confidence and resilience, while grassroots advocacy through our Parent Voices program offers social connections. We train and support child care providers, through our Family Child Care Quality Network and other services, to support the social and emotional competence of children. Financial assistance through our Subsidy services and eligibility list, as well as special assistance to families of children with disabilities through our Inclusion Enhanced Referrals, provide critical concrete support. And we offer workshops, play-and-learn sessions, support groups, and information to add to parents’ knowledge of child development.

Legendary children’s rights activist Marian Wright Edelman said, “You’re not obligated to win. You’re obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day.” So every bit of love and attention you already give to your children is making a huge difference. And when Children’s Council can lighten your load, we feel we’ve made a difference.