Head Start Remembers Dr. T. Berry Brazelton

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Head Start Association’s Executive Director Yasmina Vinci commented on the legacy created by Dr. T. Berry Brazelton in advancing the field of early childhood development. Dr. Brazelton passed away on Tuesday at the age of 99.

“Dr. Brazelton will be remembered as both a revolutionary expert on early childhood development and as a compassionate adviser for new parents navigating child-rearing challenges,” NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci said. “He bucked the rigid conventional wisdom of the day and taught generations of new parents to trust their instincts and respond to their children as unique individuals.

“Dr. Brazelton’s work in advancing knowledge in the field of early childhood development lives on at the Boston Children’s Hospital Brazleton Touchpoints Center, whose researchers have authored groundbreaking evidence-based studies on the effectiveness of Head Start for young children and their families. Dr. Brazelton’s passing is an enormous loss, but his legacy will live on in the children, parents, and educators who were shaped and inspired by his work.”

Among the research conducted by the Brazelton Touchpoints Center on early childhood development is a recent study offering promising evidence that participation in Early Head Start can prevent child maltreatment, particularly physical, and sexual abuse. This study was the first examination of the impact of Early Head Start on child maltreatment.

The Brazelton Touchpoints Center has delivered professional development, early child care and education training, and technical assistance to more than 160 Head Start/Early Head Start centers or programs, including home-based programs, in 40 states and 15 tribal sovereign nations.