The institute serves as a hub to coordinate and expand the robust interdisciplinary research that BC faculty and graduate students are conducting in the field of early childhood development. The work, which focuses on diverse populations both within and outside of the U.S., utilizes an array of theoretical frameworks and methodologies to develop a stronger understanding of how our experiences in early childhood shape who we become. The institute works with a broad set of stakeholders, including children and families, to develop and apply new scientific knowledge to shape policies and practices that improve the health and well-being of children, families, and communities across the world.