Over the past several years, Child Trends has built an extensive knowledge base about programs that "work" to enhance children's development. This Guide offers a way of presenting this knowledge in a user-friendly format for policy makers, program designers, and funders. Based on conversations with these groups, we have developed a visual representation of the stages of childhood and paired these stages with effective programs. This approach is built on the concept that child development is a cumulative process that begins before birth and continues into young adulthood. This "life course" model visually shows that varied program approaches can contribute to children's development, that different approaches are appropriate at different ages, and that developmental inputs build on one another over time, as a child grows. The model also illustrates that development unfolds over time and benefits from investment at all ages. Thus, there is no one "critical stage" where development is set.

The Guide was built with the understanding that most program providers and funders face a concrete challenge - such as a need to prepare preschoolers for elementary school or a need to improve the physical fitness of middle school children. The electronic Guide to Effective Programs for Children and Youth provides users with an easy reference for programs that work, influencing a variety of outcomes over a child's life.

Funding for the Guide to Effective Programs for Children and Youth and many of the program summaries was provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Additional funding for some of the work summarizing programs was provided by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Inclusion in this Guide does not imply an endorsement from the funders or researchers.

Looking for the definitions and methodology used for this project? Click here.
Looking for what is included in each program description? Click here.

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Raising Healthy Children

What do children need? What should be avoided? This "lifecourse model" offers some clues to what children need and when, based on accumulated knowledge of child development. This knowledge is based on both experimental and non-experimental studies. Click on the title above for the "lifecourse model."

"What Works" for Child and Youth Development: Tools for Improving Services to Children and Youth

What does research and evaluation tell us are effective strategies and promising approaches to meeting the needs of children and adolescents? Child Trends' What Works series are easy-to-use interactive tables that are fully linked to relevant research. The What Works series summarizes the best available research and evaluations to determine what works, what doesn't work and what are some "best bets." If you are a service provider, policymaker, reporter, funder, researcher, or an educator, these tables will help you find the best research available to inform and support your work. To access Child Trends' What Works series click here.