Research shows that the effects of poverty can impact the growth of the brain in infants. With over half of America’s infants classified as living in or near poverty, we have a responsibility to be aware of and make a change for these issues.  Read the Caring Connections section on page 133 and conduct your own research before answering these questions related to the effect of poverty on infant development. *What are some potential consequences to an infant born into poverty? Physically, emotionally and socially? *What are some things parents can do to combat the effect of poverty on infant development? *There are many resources available to families in a low socioeconomic status to aid in strong infant development. What is one of those in your community? Do you see any barriers to access for these services? Helpful Resources: https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/povertys-effect-on-infants-and-toddlers-infographic/ https://talkpoverty.org/2015/07/15/state-americas-babies-child-care/ Responded to two peers.peer 1 daniella  Poverty is something that we all feel terrible about, but no one knows how to rectify. When we speak of children, especially infants we think to ourselves, “how did we let this happen?” We are one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but half of the children are born into poverty. What is poverty exactly? According to Merriam-webster poverty is defined as, “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.” ( Merriam-webster) To me, poverty is not only family, community, or monetary elements you are experiencing but a lack of scholastic resources. The lack of education within the community leads to poverty as we know, in turn creating the issue that people within that group dealt with. The daily impacts of poverty are hunger, illness, insecurity, and instability. These impacts can lead to a lack of educational accomplishments, eating disorders, social ineptness, and behavioral issues. ( Haynie 2014) In the infant stage, which is the early stage in the development, is a time when your brain is starting to develop, and nutrition and environmental health is paramount to successful development. (infancy 2023) Parents who utilize programs and literature available at their child’s pediatrician are proven in some studies to,” enhance early book reading interactions as well as early child language and numeracy outcomes.”(Brockmeyer et al. 2018) These types of programs aim to combat poverty through education. I feel this is a great idea and one that I have utilized with my children when I was a single mother. The WIC or Women and Children program in my city offers, pediatric well-care visits, provides vouchers for food products such as formula and cereal, as well as helps pregnant mothers. (USDA 2022)The only problem I see with this program is that it is for children under 5. I feel there should be an alternative program post-WiC that will help an older demographic; at least to the age of 12.   WC 318 References Brockmeyer, Cates Ph.D., Weisleder, Ariana Ph.D., & Mendelsohn, Alan L. MD. ( January 23,2018). Mitigating the Effects of Family Poverty on Early Child Development through Parenting Interventions in Primary Care, National Library of Medicine.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC57789... Haynie, Leshia ( June 2014) Childhood poverty, living below the line. American Psychological Association.  https://www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/indicator/2014/06/childhood-poverty#:~:text=Children%20living%20in%20poverty%20experience,difficulties%20(Malhomes%2C%202012). infancy. (February 1,2023) .Britannica.com .https://www.britannica.com/science/infancy Poverty. Merriam-webster.com. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) .( Jul 9, 2022).United States Department of Agriculture.  https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/about-wic peer 2 18 hours ago Summer Poulin  81 64 1 23 Week 2 Discussion Options Menu: Forum Poverty and It's Effect on Infant Development COLLAPSE     When it comes to poverty in a home or community, many people assume that this environment will not target an impact on infants and children. The answer is yes, that it can be many factors, and a positive change must be made. According to Child development, poverty has a devastating effect on a child's development stages. The links can directly impact health concerns like malnutrition, illnesses, and lack of education. Living in poverty can affect a child's physical health, social skills, behavioral learning, and emotional well-being (How Does Poverty Impact Child Development, 2020). Everything in life has risks, but dealing with being poor and trying to live right is hard for both children and parents. In poverty, there can be some shallow moments. For starters, think of a struggling parent trying to make ends meet but just cannot. The parent begins to cry, and the child becomes emotionally hurt. In low-income areas, which are more subjected to crime and violence, a young child may pick up on these bad habits quickly because this is the life they think is normal. With this being said, education is also a lower risk because of a local school in the area without teachers' support to push and encourage children. They may start skipping and dropping out of school. This is what we call the domino effect. It is sad but true. Most children in low income do not make it out. They struggle with life to the end.     However, you have someone who finds a way to improve their lives. The child in question breaks free to do what is right to better themselves. It depends on whether the circumstances are correct and if the person or child works hard to get past the point of poverty. How Does Poverty Impact Child Development. (2020, February 4). ChildFund Australia.                                                        https://www.childfund.org.au/stories/how-does-poverty-impact-child-development/ W.C. 308