Connecting science and public policy for the well-being of brazilian children
Advancing early childhood development in Brazil requires a comprehensive, system-wide approach, with a particular focus on children and families in socially vulnerable situations.
To achieve this, the NCPI’s efforts are primarily directed toward public policymakers, implementers, and leaders in both civil society and the academic community.
The goal is to inform, engage, and educate these stakeholders, encouraging them to prioritize early childhood development in their agendas and to enhance policies, programs, and services through evidence-based strategies.
NCPI’s member organizations
Founded in 2011, the NCPI emerged from the collaboration of diverse organizations whose expertise and dedication have established the coalition as a leader in early childhood development in Brazil. For the 2022 to 2024 cycle, five institutions are at the forefront, providing technical, strategic, and financial support for the NCPI.
Strategies for prioritizing early childhood
Discover how our commitment translates into actions that can significantly benefit the lives of children up to the age of six and their families.
Awareness and dissemination
We share scientific evidence on child development and integrate it into public discourse through events such as our International Symposium. Our efforts also encompass the publication of studies by recipients of the Science for Early Childhood Award and contributions from experts of our Scientific Committee.
Mobilization and leadership training
Through our Executive Leadership Program in Early Childhood Development, we train senior leaders involved in vital early childhood initiatives, equipping them to make substantial contributions to the well-being of all Brazilian children.
Strengthening public policies
Strengthening public policies Our materials, shared through the NCPI’s digital channels and initiatives aimed at the Child Development Leadership Community, include recommendations intended to guide the development of actions, programs, and policies that effectively address the varied realities and contexts of children in Brazil.
Impact on the early childhood landscape
Discover how our recent initiatives and actions have shaped the early childhood landscape in Brazil by accessing our materials.
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leaders and professionals impacted
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+90
teachers and researchers actively involved
Conheça nosso Comitê Executivo
Composto por representantes das organizações que formam a coalizão, o comitê é responsável pelas diretrizes e decisões estratégicas do Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância.
Claudia Vidigal
Representante da Fundação Van Leer no Brasil
Tim Linden
Diretor associado do Escritório da Universidade Harvard no Brasil
Marina Fragata Chicaro
Diretora de Políticas Públicas da Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal
Naercio Menezes
Professor do Insper e diretor do CPAPI
Luis Felipe Serrao
Gerente de Programas da Porticus América Latina
Conheça o time do NCPI
Explore nossa trajetória
Founding of the Núcleo Ciência Pela Infância
The NCPI was launched, hosting the inaugural International Symposium on Early Childhood Development in São Paulo, which galvanized leaders to prioritize early childhood development issues.
Inaugural Executive Leadership Program
In collaboration with Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child, the first Executive Leadership Program united 56 Brazilian leaders. The year also featured the Second International Symposium on Early Childhood Development, held in São Paulo and streamed online for the first time.
Advancing our initiatives
The third International Symposium, held in São Paulo, focused on “Innovation and Scale: Tackling complex social problems.” The year also featured a new cohort of 48 leaders trained through the second Executive Leadership Program.
The Scientific Committee presents its first published study
Alongside ongoing Executive Leadership Programs and International Symposiums, the NCPI released “The Impact of Early Childhood Development on Learning”, the first in a series of working papers from experts offering scientific evidence on the first few years of life to support Brazilian policymakers and legislators.
Launch of the Early Childhood iLab
The NCPI expanded its partnership network to include Sabará Children’s Hospital and launched iLab to foster innovative early childhood practices. The year also saw national and international (4th edition) editions of the Executive Leadership Program and the fifth International Symposium in São Paulo, which introduced satellite symposia.
Legal Framework established and new studies
Thanks to efforts by alumni of the Executive Leadership Program, the Legal Framework on Early Childhood was enacted, prompting the Scientific Committee to release two working papers: “The importance of family ties in early childhood” and “Executive functions and development in early childhood.” The year also included the fifth Executive Leadership Program and the sixth International Symposium in Recife.
Training for 'Criança Feliz' technicians
At the request of the Ministry of Social Development, the NCPI developed a specialized training program for technicians of the ‘Criança Feliz’ (‘Happy Child’) initiative, aimed at promoting early childhood development in Brazil. The sixth International Executive Leadership Program and the seventh International Symposium were held in Fortaleza.
Expanding iLab’s impact
iLab supported two new projects, with four initial projects participating in the Frontiers of Innovation convention—a research and development platform at Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child. The seventh international cohort of the Executive Leadership Program was trained this year.
New Format for the Symposium
After a year’s hiatus, the International Symposium was reformulated to occur biennially. Alongside this change, the inaugural Child Development Leadership Community Meeting convened, gathering alumni from the Executive Leadership Program’s eighth international edition. Additionally, iLab began supporting three new projects.
COVID-19 guides NCPI’s actions
The onset of COVID-19 and subsequent social isolation prompted the Scientific Committee to synthesize evidence addressing child development concerns related to the pandemic. A working paper and a series of informational videos were launched on the NCPI YouTube channel to address these issues.
CPAPI and 100% online Symposium
The Brazilian Center for Applied Research in Early Childhood (Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisa Aplicada em Primeira Infância - CPAPI) is established with support from the NCPI. That same year, the Symposium holds its first fully online edition, featuring the release of the working paper "Racism, Early Childhood Education, and Development." Additionally, the iLab experience results in the publication "Paths and Learnings."
Inaugural Science for Early Childhood Award
The NCPI introduced the Science for Early Childhood Award to honor early childhood researchers across Brazil, emphasizing ethnic-racial and regional diversity in the academic community. The Scientific Committee responded to contemporary challenges by issuing articles on the risks associated with homeschooling and advocating for the vaccination of young children against COVID-19. The Executive Leadership Program resumed its international edition after a two-year interval.
Brasília expands the Symposium’s reach
The Symposium returned to an in-person format for its tenth edition, held in Brasília, engaging domestic and international researchers and featuring Brazil’s Vice-President, Geraldo Alckmin. This year also saw the launch of three new studies by the Scientific Committee on topics such as inequalities and violence. The International Executive Leadership Program celebrated its tenth cohort, now in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health and Insper.
Award expands scope in new edition
The 2nd Science for Early Childhood Award broadened its criteria to include master’s level researchers, particularly aiming to highlight work by Black and Indigenous researchers and those from Brazil’s North and Northeast regions. A new working paper focused on health inequalities among Indigenous children was released. The 11th edition of the International Executive Leadership Program began its first module in the USA.
NCPI’s initiatives featured in the press
Engage with our initiatives
Do you have questions about NCPI’s work, or are you considering a partnership with your organization? Interested in featuring our studies in your reporting or seeking expert commentary for a news piece? Below are our contact details for connecting with our team through our digital channels.
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