Early Brain Development: Implications for Social Emotional Development

Betty Rintoul, Ph.D.

Encouraging Connections

Role of Experience

Repeated use strengthens brain connections. If connections are not used, they may be

“pruned” away. The brain “grows itself” for the environment it

experiences. Much of this experience-based growth occurs

in the frontal cortex (the “executive brain”).

Encouraging Connections

Recent Research Reports….

Suggest that children’s social and emotional well-being is critical to their success in school and in life.– Surgeon General’s Report on Children’s Mental

Health, 2000– Off to a Good Start, 2000– Neurons to Neighborhoods, 2001– Set for Success, 2002– Ready to Enter, 2002– Hardwired to Connect, 2003

Hardwired to Connect

Commission on Children at Risk released this report in September, 2003.

Collaboration of neuroscientists, doctors, and social scientists.

Reflects on rising rates of mental problems and emotional distress among U.S. children and adolescents.

Update on Child Well-Being

6% of US children are taking psychotropic medications.

300% increase between 1987 and 1996. 300% increase for psychotropic medication for

2 to 4 year olds between 1991 and 1995.

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2003

Journal of the American Medical Association, 2000

Update on Child Well-Being

Increase in serious emotional and behavioral difficulties in very young children, especially those involving self-regulation and communication.

Hardwired to Connect

Concluded we need to move from special programs for “at risk” children to recognizing broad societal conditions that are contributing to growing numbers of suffering children.

Crisis in lack of connectedness:– Close connections to other people– Deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning

Connection Deficits?

Sample of 125 foster children under age 6 Over 80% had developmental or

emotional problems 50% had both

Klee, Kronstadt, & Zlotnick, 1997

Hardwired to Connect

Mechanisms by which we become and stay attached to others are biologically primed and increasingly discernable in the basic structure of the brain.

Nurturing environments, or the lack of them, affect gene transcription and the development of brain circuitry.

Nurture Affects Brain Development

Nurturing touch promotes growth and alertness in babies.

Presence of a secure attachment protects toddlers from biochemical effects of stress.

Abused children pay more attention to angry faces – reflected in brain’s response.

Field, 1986; 1995

Gunnar, 1989; 1996

Pollak, et al., 2003

Nurture Affects Brain DevelopmentAnimal Studies

Well-nurtured pups develop into laid-back adult rats.

Good foster mother monkeys can alter the development of highly reactive temperaments.

Meaney, 2001

Suomi, 2002

Hardwired to Connect

Social environments can affect genes at the level of transcription to reduce genetically based risks.

Neurobiological Ties that BindAnimal Studies

Not only do differences in maternal attention predict emotionality of the offspring, but also predict how the offspring will mother their own pups.

The underlying neural systems mediating these behaviors appear to be changed by positive nurture.

Meaney, 2001

Suomi, 2002

Encouraging Connections, 2003

Gentle, responsive nurturing

Promote Child’s Potential: Create Developmental Risk:

Encouraging Connections, 2003

What Research Tells Us:Aspects of Relationship with Caregiver that...

Neglect of physical or emotional needs

Harsh or inconsistent punishment

Little expressive speech; excessive prohibitions

Frequent changes in caregiver, routines

Clear, consistent expectations & supervision

Positive & responsive verbal interaction

Stable environment and caregiver

Be

Encouraging Connections, 2003

Depression, emotional stress, substance abuse

Promote Positive Interaction: Create Interactional Risk:

Good mental health

Encouraging Connections, 2003

What Research Tells Us:Aspects of Caregiver Well-being that...

Social support

Adequate resources

Adequate time and energy

Adequate knowledge and education

High child:caregiver ratio

Social isolation, poor relationship skills

Less than high school education

Inadequate space and play materials, excessive noise

e

Be

Encouraging Connections, 2003