Children’s development during the first eight years of life is strongly affected by their health. Experiences during this time are hardwired into their brains and bodies, forming the foundation for all subsequent development. Good physical and emotional health helps ensure that children are successful learners from their earliest years, putting them on the pathway to becoming proficient readers— healthy children are more likely to be physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally ready for kindergarten, attend school consistently, and benefit from high-quality learning environments.

To explore data on children's health and development, click the measures in the chart below. Data pages are best viewed in Google Chrome.

To explore initiatives that are leading in prioritized actions to address some of these areas, visit the Pathways Action Map.