Summary
Published by Child Development Perspectives, this article co-authored by Joan Lombardi, senior fellow at the Collaborative for Global Children's Issues, identifies five models in different geographic regions of the world that promote the development of young children (0–6 years), the education and livelihood of their caregivers, and the well-being of both. The authors close with a call for more research on two-generation programs and policies globally.
A Global Call for Two- Generation Approaches to Child Development and Caregivers' Livelihoods
Author: Joan Lombardi
Interest in two-generation approaches to improve the developmental outcomes of children and their caregivers and the economic well-being of families has increased amid persistent child and family poverty worldwide. Grounded in a dual developmental science perspective and the theory of linked lives, these approaches maximize developmental potential by addressing the interrelated educational, economic, and developmental needs of children and their caregivers. They offer coordinated, aligned, and simultaneous services for at least two generations in the same family. In this article, the authors propose that from a global perspective, two-generation approaches that harness synergies among children and their caregivers are likely to be more effective than single-generation approaches in alleviating poverty and improving human development.