1000 First days: Neuroscience and early childhood Congress

Together with UNESCO Global Education Coalition and Ensemble for Early Childhood Education France Babilou Family Fondation hosted the 1st Congress on the Influence of Neuroscience on Young Children’s Development and Education in Marseille. The congress is aimed at laying the groundwork for the World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (WCECCE), which will be held from 14 till 16 November 2022 in Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.

Xavier Ouvrard

CEO Babilou Family

We are going to fight an explain to the world that everything happens between 0 and 6 years old, that we have to invest there, with an international aim, with a shared vision of sustainable education, for a sustainable world

Neuroscience Congress, Marseille

Purpose and Concept

600 participants online and in person in Marseille
20 International speakers
3 Round tables
1 Plenary Session

Neuroscience is key in determining the necessary conditions for toddlers’ development and fulfilment. It also plays a major role in the way the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are apprehended. In order to take advantage of all the work in the filed and to bring together the world of research and stakeholders, the Congress of Neurscience and Early childhood gathered renowned international neuroscientists alongside public and private players, filed professionals, and experts, all of whom committed to spearheading a genuine educational revolution from early childhood onwards.

Through key concepts such as language, multilingualism or the exposure of young children to screens this Congress will addressed essential issues such as:

The contribution of neuroscience in the adaptation of care and educational practices in nurseries.
How neuroscience can contribute to reducing social inequalities.
Raising awareness and training for early childhood professionals to become more familiar with the field and its research.

Babilou Family is convinced that the development of sustainable and responsible ecosystems requires close collaboration between public institutions and private actors. Babilou Family is presented in 12 countries around the world and is proud to commit to UNESCO and its partners for the sustainable education of future generations.

Following this Congress Babilou Family will participate in the World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education (WCECCE) organized by UNESCO which aims to reaffirm the right of all young children to quality care and education from birth to age 8 and to encourage Member States to invest in target 4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). It consists of "ensuring that by 2030 all girls and boys will have access to quality early childhood development care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education". By bringing together public institutions and private actors just a few months before the World Conference the Congress provided them with an opportunity to work together on strategic issues and craft innovative solutions that will be presented at the World Conference in Tashkent.

From social and affective neurosciences to cognitive neurosciences: How is the brain built?

During the 1st Round table were discussed topics about the influence of intense and early toxic stress: "the baby reacts in mirror to our behaviors and is eminently social and it was emphasized the influence of trauma on the development of hormones and certain areas of the brain, a subject that is still less known by parents and professionals. Crucial importance is the supporting and training professionals to provide an appropriate response to these issues. Supporting professionals in their daily practices in order to sustain the psychosocial skills of young children is the foundation of global development. There is vital need to create a serene environment, guaranteeing emotional security and playfulness for the proper development of children.

Speakers

Borhene Chakroun

UNESCO

Isabelle Filliozat

First 1000 days Commission, psychotherapist, psychotherapy instructor, lecturer and author

Charlotte Decroix

PhD in Bordeaux University

Catherine Verney

Doctor of Science, biologist

Claire Malenfant-Illiaquer

Director of Sustainable Education in Babilou Family

From social and affective neurosciences to cognitive neurosciences. How is the brain built?

The environment of the child is key in its development. What innovations to reduce inequalities?

During the 2nd Round table was emphasized that local authorities are an essential link in the education and protection of young children. In particular, they work to reduce territorial inequalities and promote coherent development in three areas: the social and health environment, the school and educational field, and innovation. Also the growing importance of digital tools to reduce inequalities, reminding us of the need to continue to create links and to readapt our habits as well as those of the children. There were presented experiences from Norway, notably on their educational system in terms of paid parental leave, state-regulated and state-funded childcare, play-based and child-centered approach, good leadership, ecological approach, and quality of care and staff management. In particular, well-trained professionals are key to quality, in addition to the importance of putting the professional at the heart of decision-making.

Speakers

Nathalie Casso-Vicarini

Member of the First 1000 Days Commission, and Founder and General Delegate for Early Childhood Education

Tove Mogstad Slide

Senior Adviser in the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research in the Department of Kindergartens and Schools

Xavier Madelaine

AMF, Co-chair of the Early Childhood Group

Emmanuelle Deletoille

Educational Director at Ecole du Domaine du Possible

Jean Rakovitch

Educational Director at Ecole du Domaine du Possible

Daphnée Dereux Suin

Daycare Center Director at Babilou

The environment of the child is key in its development. What innovations to reduce inequalities?

Exposure of children to screens: What balance between risks and good practices?

During the 3rd Round table experts has warned about the consequences in terms of sleep, education or attention that abusive exposure to screens causes from a very young age. The screen is not the problem, it is the addiction that comes from it, and the proposed solution is to raise parents' awareness. It was highlighted also that the downward spiral between attention disorders and exposure to screens are responsible for 10% of school dropouts. The solution would be to rely on research while limiting its use in order not to go into excess and it is important to help parents to make the most of technology without harming children.

Speakers

Rokhaya Diawara

Education Programme Specialist and Global Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) lead at UNESCO

Anne-Lise Ducanda

PMI doctor, founder of the Overexposure Screens Collective (CoSe)

Sylvie Dieu-Osika

Former Vice Minister Education, Colombia, Founder Origami Preschools

Isabel Segovia Ospina

Former Vice Minister Education, Colombia, Founder Origami Preschools

Florent de Bodman

Co-founder and Director of 1001mot

Vincent Berge

CEO of Crocos GoDigital

Exposure of children to screens. What is the balance between risks and good practices?

Plenary Session

Xavier Ouvrard, CEO of Babilou Family and Secretary General of the eponymous foundation, emphasized the importance of giving more resources to PMI and regulators to control the quality of childcare facilities. The importance of synergy between companies and public authorities is also necessary to create new day care centers and install high quality educational practices.