"The first eight years really determine so much about our life in the future. Most of our brain growth and development happens in the first five years of life. Then at eight, there's a lot of research that shows that, good or bad, we have a general sense of how someone's life will be like as adults."

Dr. Kandace Thomas of First 8 Memphis and Kimberly Carter of Brilliant Minds Child Development Center share how infant mental health impacts children and those caring for them. First 8 Memphis conducted a landscape survey to glean data directly from those in our community, and some of the findings may surprise you.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

• First 8 Memphis
• NEXT Memphis
• Tennessee's Department of Children Services
• Shelby County Early Childhood Education Plan
• Tennessee Early Intervention Services
• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• First 8 Memphis Partner Organizations and Leadership Council
• Pre-K readiness website
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry
• Habitat for Humanity

This episode is made possible in partnership with Independent Bank.