Exterior of Nancy Nicholas Hall in the evening, with lamps and windows glowing.
News & Events

Prenatal to Five: Early is the answer

The School of Human Ecology understands that early childhood development research and innovation is the solution to reducing the achievement and poverty gaps impacting all of Wisconsin’s children, families, and communities.

Communication between an adult and a baby is critical to the child’s health and well-being. Through an initiative that focuses on the first five years of every child’s life, we can enhance proper brain development and work to narrow the achievement gap, increasing the quality of life in our state and our nation. With proactive intervention techniques and school readiness skills, all of Wisconsin’s children can thrive in a challenging world.

What Human Ecology Can Do

Through the Prenatal to Five Initiative, the School is driven to create a unique, innovative, collaborative, and interdisciplinary approach to teaching, research and engagement  in a manner that enhances the Wisconsin Idea. Research proves that the “0-5” period of children’s developmental stage is crucial in helping them thrive throughout their lifespan. Through the human ecology lens, UW-Madison looks at the impact of housing, nutrition, physical health, education, parenting, and more during this key period of life.

Press and Related Research

Editorial – Channel 3 story – June 12 2017

Interview — Wisconsin Public Radio “Central Time” (June 1st)

Article in the Capital Times (May 30th)

Press Release (UW-Madison) on Summit Results (June 6th)

Associate Professor Larissa Duncan recently released the results of her study on the potential effects of mindful prenatal classes on expectant mothers’ labor-related anxiety and postpartum depression. (NYTThe Guardian)