This report presents the proceedings of a consortium at which leading developmental neuroscientists from across the United States and Canada met at Johns Hopkins University to explore the relationship between children's health and learning and to propose policy changes. Early brain development and its relationship to intelligence, learning, and memory were reviewed, and a number of topics relating to early brain development were discussed. These included the effects of environment, such as degree of nurturing, maternal well-being, and enriching experiences; the effects of stress, based on endocrine system response; the increased academic failure and social costs that result from exposure to lead; the neurobiological consequences that result from prenatal cocaine exposure; and language development and impairment. The meeting proposed four recommendations: (1) every mother and baby must receive early health care; (2) infants and children must receive early screening for learning disabilities; (3) the discoveries of neuroscience must improve programs for all children by demystifying science and uniting scientific knowledge with health and education services; and (4) funding for basic research must be supported. The report of the meeting is followed by a reference list and lists of meeting participants and consortium members. A description of the consortium is included. (BC)