The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for developmental outcomes and long term health. Paediatrician and leading child health researcher, Professor Sharon Goldfeld, argues we need a radical redesign of how families can be best supported during a child’s early years. In this episode of the Paul Ramsay Foundation’s Life’s Lottery podcast series, she outlines the need for creativity in public policies to address the growing disparities in child health and wellbeing - and she’s excited about the possibilities.
We also visit the Think+DO Tank in Western Sydney, a neighbourhood hub that brings together creatives, psychologists, and multilingual community connectors to craft innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of belonging, mental health, wellbeing, and literacy faced by migrant communities.
With thanks to: Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Think+Do Tank, especially Marian Abboud, Afaf Al-Shammari, Maysoon Shinawas, Shahad Alsaad, Harri Harding, and the students at Marsden Road Public School.
About Life’s Lottery Season 2:
Backing Kids, the second season of The Paul Ramsay Foundation’s podcast series Life’s Lottery, explores how Australian society values children and childhood. Kids are our future, but they’re rarely at the centre when it comes to the decisions that really matter. What would it take to truly put kids at the heart of policy, of budgets, and broader public work? We’ll hear the voices of advocates, experts, children and their parents and caregivers with bright and practical ideas about how we can improve kids’ health and wellbeing. We’ll dive deep into the Federal Budget and explore how it does, and doesn’t, reflect the realisation of children’s rights. We’ll hear about how young First Nations voices have informed policy development to improve the lives of First Nations kids. We’ll consider how place-based, universally accessible services could better reach vulnerable families and improve the wellbeing of all children. Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted children’s physical and mental health, their education, and exacerbated the challenges faced by the most vulnerable. There has never been a better time to talk about how we could better back our kids and improve their odds in Life’s Lottery. Produced by The Paul Ramsay Foundation and UTS Impact Studios.
Visit lifeslottery.com.au to learn more.