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Issues in the timing of integrated early interventions: contributions from nutrition, neuroscience, and psychological

Theodore D Wachs1, Michael Georgieff2, Sarah Cusick3

  • 1Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|December 21, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Identifying sensitive periods for child interventions is crucial. Early years show significant impact, but optimal timing depends on targeted outcomes and intervention types.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Designing effective interventions for at-risk children requires understanding sensitive developmental periods.
  • Early life interventions can have profound, long-lasting effects on development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review nutritional, neuroscientific, and psychological evidence to identify sensitive periods for child interventions.
  • To determine the optimal timing for biological and psychosocial interventions based on evidence.

Main Methods:

  • Review of nutritional evidence on nutrient-sensitive periods and brain development (e.g., iron deficiency).
  • Analysis of neuroscience evidence on the impact of timing of environmental stressors on biological systems.
  • Examination of psychological evidence on developmental sensitivity to risk and protective factors.

Main Results:

  • The early years are a critical sensitive period for interventions, influencing brain, neuroendocrine, and psychosocial development.
  • Evidence indicates that sensitive periods are not limited solely to early childhood.
  • The effectiveness of interventions is linked to specific developmental outcomes and intervention strategies.

Conclusions:

  • While early childhood is a key sensitive period, other age periods also offer opportunities for intervention.
  • Intervention timing should be tailored to specific developmental targets and chosen methods.
  • A nuanced approach considering age, outcomes, and intervention type is necessary for effective child development programs.

Keywords:
braindevelopmental riskearly interventioniron deficiencysensitive periodsstress

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