A central goal of developmental psychopathology research is to understand the mechanisms linking environmental exposures in childhood to variations in mental health and development across the lifespan. The Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry has featured many influential studies and reviews addressing this important topic. This month's issue of the journal presents papers which address several specific environmental exposures, including prenatal factors, parenting and adverse childhood experiences, and illustrate important principles that should be used as a basis for taking the field forward.