EARLY MATTERS PODCAST

Early Matters is the podcast of the Center on Child and Family Policy, exploring the science and policy of early childhood. Hosted by Dr. Katharine Stevens, the show features in-depth conversations with a diverse range of leading researchers, practitioners, and policy experts on what matters most to help young children and their families thrive. Subscribe to Early Matters on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other major podcast platforms.

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Empowering Parents with Tech: How SC Revolutionized Access to Early Childhood Services (with Georgia Mjartan)
Empowering Parents with Tech: How SC Revolutionized Access to Early Childhood Services (with Georgia Mjartan)

Georgia Mjartan explains how First 5 South Carolina’s innovative new technology streamlines access to early childhood services, cutting red tape and empowering parents to better support their children.

Why We Need A “GI Bill for Homemakers” (with Ivana Greco) 
Why We Need A “GI Bill for Homemakers” (with Ivana Greco) 

Ivana Greco explains why America needs a “GI Bill for Homemakers” to recognize and support parents who spend time on the “home front,” dedicating themselves to the crucial work of family and community.

Child Care: What Parents Want — What Children Need (with Jenet Erickson)
Child Care: What Parents Want — What Children Need (with Jenet Erickson)

Family researcher Jenet Erickson sheds new light on the role of work and childcare in child, maternal, and family well-being, and the care preferences of women with young children.

The Miracle of Language: How Parents Build Babies' Brains (with Dana Suskind)
The Miracle of Language: How Parents Build Babies' Brains (with Dana Suskind)

Dr. Dana Suskind explains the power of nurturing language environments in children's development, and the vital role parents play as architects of their children’s brains.

Why Homemakers Matter (with Ivana Greco) 
Why Homemakers Matter (with Ivana Greco) 

Katharine talks with Ivana Greco about her unusual path from Harvard-educated attorney to full-time "stay-at-home mom," caring for her toddler and homeschooling her two young sons. 

The Crucial Role of Nurturing Care in Early Childhood (with Phil Fisher)
The Crucial Role of Nurturing Care in Early Childhood (with Phil Fisher)

Dr. Phil Fisher joins the podcast to discuss his pioneering work on the effects of early stressful experiences on young children’s development.

“The Brain Development Revolution”: Early Childhood and Public Policy (with Ross Thompson)
“The Brain Development Revolution”: Early Childhood and Public Policy (with Ross Thompson)

Ross Thompson joins the podcast to discuss current knowledge in developmental science, and how brain science has been used to shape public policy in early childhood.

Capita’s Approach to Advancing Child and Family Flourishing (with Joe Waters)
Capita’s Approach to Advancing Child and Family Flourishing (with Joe Waters)

Katharine Stevens is joined by Joe Waters, co-founder and CEO of Capita, to discuss Capita's origins and work to improve the lives of children and families.

Why Marriage Matters for Family and Child Well-Being (with Brad Wilcox) 
Why Marriage Matters for Family and Child Well-Being (with Brad Wilcox) 

Brad Wilcox, professor of sociology and director of the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia, discusses the decline in marriage among lower-income adults and explains its role in family strength and well-being.

Building a Roadmap for Prenatal-to-3 State Policy (with Cynthia Osborne) 
Building a Roadmap for Prenatal-to-3 State Policy (with Cynthia Osborne) 

Cynthia Osborne discusses the work of the Prenatal-to-Three Policy Impact Center and describes the state-level policies and strategies highlighted in the Center’s recently-released 2023 State Policy Roadmap.

Empowering Parents and Scaling Preschool Success (with Art Rolnick)
Empowering Parents and Scaling Preschool Success (with Art Rolnick)

Katharine Stevens interviews economist Art Rolnick about his nationally recognized work with the Minnesota Early Learning Scholarships program, a parent-choice-driven model providing scholarships to parents with children from ages prenatal to five.

How Early Childhood is the Foundation of Social Capital (with Chris Bullivant)
How Early Childhood is the Foundation of Social Capital (with Chris Bullivant)

Katharine Stevens interviews Chris Bullivant about why social capital matters to a thriving society, and how the foundation of social capital is formed through children’s secure attachment established in the birth-to-three period.

Parenting Is the Key to Early Development and Social Mobility – Part 2 (with James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia)
Parenting Is the Key to Early Development and Social Mobility – Part 2 (with James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia)

In the second part of this two-part conversation, Katharine Stevens continues her discussion with economists James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia about their pioneering research on how improving parenting is the essential mechanism of effective early childhood programs.

Parenting Is the Key to Early Development and Social Mobility (with James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia)
Parenting Is the Key to Early Development and Social Mobility (with James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia)

In the inaugural episode of CCFP's new podcast, Katharine Stevens interviews renowned economists James Heckman and Jorge Luis Garcia about their collaborative research on the power of early childhood interventions to promote social mobility and build human capital.