Explore the critical importance of the first 1000 days of a child's life in this TEDxWindhoek talk by DeeDee Yates, a world-renowned expert on vulnerable children and families. Discover how this crucial period impacts physical growth, peer skills, and emotional and social development. Learn about the stages of brain development, the significance of early interventions, and why children mirror and mimic from birth. Understand the long-term effects of investing in early childhood development and the steps needed to ensure an equal start for all children. Gain insights from Yates' extensive experience in early childhood development across various African countries and her work as a Technical Advisor to the Government of Namibia.