Walter is the executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and the Richard D. Holland Presidential Chair in Early Childhood Development at the University of Nebraska. He is a tenured professor at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, and an adjunct professor at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Gilliam is President of the Board of Directors of ZERO TO THREE.
But this moment, captured at the Strolling Thunder pajama party, is far from ordinary. It embodies the essence of why I’ve dedicated my life to using research to inform policies for the well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. I’ve thought about this moment often over the past few months, especially as the future of our nation’s families is at stake in a quickly changing nation and world.
Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a profound understanding that the earliest years of a child’s life are the most critical. The research is clear: what happens in the first few years of life profoundly impacts a child’s long-term health, learning and well-being. This is why it is essential to ensure that every child—regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or background—has access to high-quality early childhood programs and that the mental health of both children and their caregivers is prioritized.
Equity in early childhood is not just an aspiration; it is a necessity. Implicit biases—those unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that we all carry—can seep into early childhood education, influencing how children are perceived, disciplined and supported. My research has shown that these biases can have detrimental effects on the most vulnerable children, often leading to disparities in lifelong outcomes. By acknowledging and tackling these biases, we can create more equitable environments where every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Seeing families come together from across the country, children in tow, to advocate for their futures is powerful. These are the moments that remind us what’s at stake. It’s about more than just policies and funding; it’s about the futures of our children, the foundation of our society. It’s about ensuring that equity is not just a word but a reality in every early childhood classroom, in every community.
I have spent years using research to inform better policies that support improvements in early childhood services, from enhancing the quality of prekindergarten programs to addressing the mental health needs of early childhood educators.
My commitment to this work has only deepened with my role as President of the Board of Directors at ZERO TO THREE. It is an immense honor to serve in this capacity, leading an organization that is at the forefront of advocating for the needs of our youngest children. ZERO TO THREE has long been a beacon of leadership in early childhood, driving critical policy changes and providing support for families and educators alike. Being part of this organization allows me to continue making a tangible difference, not only in the lives of individual children but in shaping the policies that affect millions of young lives across the nation.
It’s about ensuring that equity is not just a word but a reality in every early childhood classroom, in every community.
I encourage everyone to get involved, whether by supporting policies that enhance early childhood services, advocating for better mental health support for educators, or simply by being a voice for the youngest among us. Together, we can ensure that every child is given the chance to thrive.
This simple photo is a reminder of why this work matters. It’s a reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to prosper, and it’s our responsibility to make that happen. The future depends on it, and the work we do today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow.
