Neuroscience Reports

Children’s Emotional Development is Built Into the Architecture of Their Brains
Emotional development begins early in life and is a critial aspect of the development of overall brain architecture, which influences brain function over the course of a lifetime. From birth, children rapidly develop their abilities to experience and express different emotions, as well as their capacity to cope with a variety of feelings. Early intervention in teaching children to manage their emotions can produce incredible benefits as children learn to interact socially.

The Science of Early Childhood Development: Closing the Gap Between What We Know and What We Do
Tremendous advances in brain research and early childhood development has shed light on the role of genetics combined with early experience in shaping the very design of the brain. Better understanding of this research can provide a strong base on which to design and implement policies and programs that can make a significant difference in the lives of all children. The goal of this policy design is to inform both public and private sector investment in young children and their families.

Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain
A child’s ability to cope with stress in the early years has consequences for physical and mental health throughout life. Excessive stress in early childhood has negative impacts on later development and determining the nature and severity of early stressful experiences help focus interventions that reduce the risk for these negative effects.

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships
Healthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a young child’s relationships with the important people in his or her life and the development of a child’s brain depends on the establishment of these relationships. Healthy relationships engage children in the human community in ways that help them define who they are, what they can become, and how and why they are important to other people.