Blog
Read the selected insights, thoughts and experiences of our staff and partners.
Why clean air is vital for babies and toddlers, and society as a whole
If you could experience your city from an elevation of 95 cm – the average height of a three-year-old – what would you change? This is an important mental exercise… Read more
The critical link between early childhood development and a parent's mental health
The mental health of mothers, fathers and other caregivers is critical for a child's development, especially in the earliest years. From birth to age 3, the brain develops more rapidly… Read more
Discover my world by bike
I have been a cycling activist for eight years. For the last three of those years I have also been a mother, and enjoyed riding a bike with my daughter… Read more
10 design elements help women to make informed breastfeeding decisions
The World Health Organization advises mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborn babies for at least 6 months. In the Netherlands, a recent assessment of breastfeeding practices showed that 69% of… Read more
Happy Child Programme is well perceived in Brazil, despite COVID-19 pandemic
Despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Happy Child Programme (Criança Feliz) is positively perceived by Brazilian caregivers, who continue to be supported by the initiative via visits… Read more
The Netherlands is ready for a reset of the childcare system
The last word has not yet been said about the childcare system in the Netherlands. Elections are approaching and many political parties are proposing significant change, from completely free and… Read more
Support women for better early childhood development outcomes
Psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott once said: “There is no such thing as a baby... There is a baby and someone.” What he meant was that babies do not exist in isolation. Read more
How can our cities be better prepared for epidemics?
The coronavirus pandemic has forced us to rethink economies, delivery of social benefits, business models, and even the way we work and live. It is time to think about how… Read more
We must prevent a post-COVID 'carmageddon'. Here's how
We live in turbulent times. The gap between the world we want and the world we see feels simultaneously closer and more distant. COVID-19 represents an unparalleled global public health… Read more
What have our 50 years of experience in Early Childhood taught us about scaling?
A few ideas and lessons learned from Bernard van Leer Foundation’s experience. Read more