Research

Thrive by Five

Molly Wright

"What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. 

Breaking down the research-backed ways parents and caregivers can support children's healthy brain development, Wright highlights the benefits of play on lifelong learning, behaviour and well-being, sharing effective strategies to help all kids thrive by the age of five. 

Serve and Return

Harvard University

Serve and return interactions shape brain architecture. When an infant or young child babbles, gestures, or cries, and an adult responds appropriately with eye contact, words, or a hug, neural connections are built and strengthened in the child’s brain that support the development of communication and social skills. 

Much like a lively game of tennis, volleyball, or Ping-Pong, this back-and-forth is both fun and capacity-building. When caregivers are sensitive and responsive to a young child’s signals and needs, they provide an environment rich in serve and return experiences.

Right to Thrive

Thrive by Five

Find out why we're calling for a law that would enshrine in legislation the right for every child to Thrive by Five.

There's an overwhelming body of brain science that shows that these early years are the key time to make a difference. We owe it to our kids to start now every child should have the right to thrive by five.

Wisdom of the Hands

Doug Stowe

You'll find things that gave you a tremendous amount of pleasure and part of the reason why it was fun so much was that it was there was some part of you that was playfully engaged