The first 1,000 days of life are crucial for a person’s development and well-being. During these early years, the essential foundations of language, as well as social, cognitive, and emotional skills, are built—skills that children will use throughout their lives. This period is also when the brain undergoes its most rapid growth: up to 80% of human brain functions are formed, and over a million new neural connections are made per second—at a pace that will never be repeated again.
Aware of the importance of this stage and the leading role families play in raising their children, Fundación Luksic is launching a new edition of Conversemos Mamá, a support program for pregnant women and mothers of children up to two years old. Until 2024, Conversemos Mamá was developed by the Institute of Child Neuroprotection (INPI), benefiting over 2,000 mothers in the municipalities of Recoleta, Renca, La Pintana, El Monte, San Miguel, Valparaíso, Concepción, and Puerto Montt. Starting this year, the program is operated by the Childhood area of Fundación Luksic.
The initiative seeks to help children begin life with solid foundations, by equipping mothers with knowledge and practical tools to strengthen their parenting techniques and support the healthy development of their children.
This edition of the program is aimed at pregnant women who, in June of this year, are between 12 and 40 weeks into their pregnancy, and mothers of children up to 4 months old as of that date, residing in the Valparaíso Region. To apply, women simply need to complete an online form, available from May 5 to June 6 at www.fundacionluksic.cl (see legal terms and conditions here).
“The early years of life are a unique opportunity to establish a strong foundation. Affection, stimulation, and a safe environment make all the difference for a child’s future well-being. That’s why, through Conversemos Mamá, we want to accompany families through this process, providing tools that allow children to reach their full potential,” emphasized María Fernanda Orellana, Director of the Childhood area at Fundación Luksic.
Selected mothers from the Valparaíso Region will receive weekly information and content on parenting, opportunities to address daily concerns, support for the early detection of developmental or mental health issues, practical workshops, and consultations with professionals such as pediatricians and gynecologists for those who need it.
At a local level and in parallel, Conversemos Mamá is currently part of the Crecer en Renca program, implemented by Fundación Luksic. Recruitment takes place during medical visits at various public health centers (CESFAM) in the municipality. In 2022, an impact evaluation showed that the program has had statistically significant results in child development and neuroprotection factors such as breastfeeding, birth weight and height, mothers’ perception of support, access to information, and understanding of the first 1,000 days of life.
The program aims to foster skill and competency development throughout the life cycle. This year, it seeks to expand its reach with a national call set for the second half of 2025, which will be announced through Fundación Luksic’s official channels.
