New Resource: Brain Science in Action—Understanding How Environments Shape Young Minds

At Groundwork Ohio, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive from the very start. Our latest resource—the The First Five Years: 8 Key Facts Every Leader Should Know—translates groundbreaking research from Harvard University’s Dr. Stephanie M. Jones on how the environments surrounding children shape brain development and define long-term success. 

What is Brain Science?

Brain science, often called early brain development research, explores how the brain forms and adapts through experiences, relationships, and environments—especially during the first few years of life. According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, a child’s brain builds more than a million new neural connections every second in early childhood. These connections lay the foundation for lifelong learning, behavior, and health. When children experience stable relationships, safe environments, and responsive interactions, their brains develop strong, resilient architecture. Conversely, chronic stress, isolation, or exposure to adversity can weaken that foundation and affect future outcomes.

Why Groundwork Ohio Focuses on the Earliest Years 

Groundwork Ohio's mission is to ensure that Ohio is the best place to be a young child. The earliest years represent a once-in-a-lifetime window to influence lifelong health, academic, and economic success. Science shows that investing in the early years yields extraordinary returns—strengthening not only individual families but also Ohio’s future workforce and communities. By connecting parents, policymakers, and business leaders to trusted information, such as our new fact sheet The First Five Years: 8 Key Facts Every Leader Should Know, Groundwork helps translate evidence into action, ensuring that every child has a fair start in life.

The fact sheet, inspired by insights shared during our “Brain Science in Action: What Surrounds Us Shapes Us” webinar, offers an accessible overview of how relationships, community conditions, and daily experiences influence outcomes for young children. From early learning settings to family interactions, what surrounds children truly shapes who they become.

We invite you to explore this concise, practical guide to better understand how investing in early childhood supports stronger families, communities, and the future of Ohio’s workforce. Download The First Five Years: 8 Key Facts Every Leader Should Know today and share it with your networks to help ensure Ohio's future is bright.

Download and share The First Five Years: 8 Key Facts Every Leader Should Know.

Watch the “Brain Science in Action: What Surrounds Us Shapes Us” webinar on demand.