Research
Developing Brain
A Number of Things to Remember about Child Development I just finished reading an article from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child and wanted to summarize the things they want us to remember about how children develop. “Development is a highly interactive process, and life outcomes are not determined solely by genes.” – The environment…
Read MoreToxic Stress
I just listened to an Innovation Hub interview with Dr. Jack Shonkoff director of Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child (you can listen to this interview by clicking on the link). The core of this interview discusses the long term effects of toxic stress. Dr. Shonkoff suggests that everyone knows how it feels to be…
Read MoreWhat is Trauma
For so long many people have associated post traumatic stress disorder (complex trauma) with only MAJOR events, and while this seems true, it’s not true for every case. As a psychologist (a professional influence of mine) has put it, “trauma is any stress that can disrupt and affect physiology”. In other words anything that occurs…
Read MoreRegulation – ups and downs part 3
Some children are both hyperaroused and dissociative depending on the situation. They may be activated by stressful life events and act out behaviorally. When the situation becomes too much they collapse into dissociation. This wide swing makes it extremely difficult for parents to follow. It seems as though they are on a wild ride over…
Read More6 Core strengths for healthy brain development
This week we will take the first 2 core strengths for healthy brain development which are attachment and self-regulation. Attachment is the capacity to form and maintain healthy emotional bonds with another person. It begins in infancy, as a child interacts with a loving, responsive and attentive caregiver. It is important because this strength is…
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