The ‘first thousand days’ refers to the period of development from conception to age 2. While early years experts have long been aware that this is an important period of development, researchers have only recently started to unlock some of the mysteries surrounding the processes by which genes, experiences and environments interact to influence development. New knowledge that has been unveiled has served to increase experts’ views of the significance of the first thousand days, and of the urgent need to reform our policies, practices and systems in response to the evidence.
Dr Tim Moore, co-author of The First Thousand Days: An Evidence Paper, delivered a presentation on the evidence and implications of this work at the University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.