Everyone experiences stress at certain points in their life, and some stressors can actually be healthy. However, children perceive and react to stressful situations differently than adults.
A child's environment and relationships are potentially impacted when children are exposed to trauma at an early age.
Early childhood professionals have the responsibility of recognizing when a child is under extreme amounts of stress, as well as understanding the negative implications stress can have on young children. I am interested in understanding how a child's development is impacted when they experience a close family member being critically injured or ill. More importantly, I want to understand how to best support young children and families who experience the trauma of having a close family member become critically injured or ill to avoid the negative developmental implications. Feeling intrigued? Watch a short video from The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University on how young children's experiences build their brain architecture. Experiences Shape Brain Architecture
Critical Questions
- Which areas of a young child's brain are impacted from excessive stress?
- How is brain development impacted by excessive stress?
- What mental health services are available for young children who experience trauma at an early age?
- What type of support systems can early childhood professionals provide for families?
