Brain Growth and ACEs

Page 13

During early childhood there are so many synapses created in a child’s young brain that there are an overabundance.  What begins to happen is that the experiences that a child has most often dictate what the brain holds and build on. If these experiences are negative in nature then this becomes the “norm” for children’s brain development. ​
Let’s talk about the three different kinds of stress as we consider brain growth and ACEs. Positive stress (learning new things, meeting new people, etc.) support the foundation for positive experiences that pave the way for learning, growth, and health. Tolerable stress can also pave the way for brain growth if it doesn’t turn in to toxic stress. Toxic stress is the prolonged negative stress that gives little or no relief for the child. Toxic stress builds a weak foundation for learning, growth, and health because children’s brains are so preoccupied with the high stress environment that they are unable to build the positive and healthy connection that they need.

Video: Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development
Source: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University​
Length: 1:52 
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Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Stress Mountain
3. Kinds of Stress
4. Effects of Stress
5. Comparing Stress (1/7)
6. Support Systems
7. Tightrope Walker (2/7)
8. The Brain
9. Brain Architecture
10. ACEs in Early Childhood

11. Blueprint for Brain Dev.
12. Nature vs Nurture ACEs (3/7)
13. Brain Growth and ACEs
14. Myelination
15. Brain Development (4/7)
16. Behavior and Brain 
17. Social and Emotional ACEs
18. Cognitive Function
19 ACEs and Development (5/7)
20. Where do we go from here?

21. Supportive Communities
22. Goals for Community Support
23. Supportive People
24. Supportive Families
25. Community Resources​ (6/7)
26. Building Resiliency
27. Trauma Informed Practice
28. Moving Forward
29. Quiz (7/7)
30. Evaluation Form​
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