Early Brain and Child Development

Pediatric healthcare practitioners have long recognized the importance of early brain and child development, particularly prenatal development through age 3. In addition to laying the building blocks for lifelong learning, responsible citizenship, and economic productivity, these early years lay the foundation for physical and mental health across the lifespan. In this section you’ll find resources to learn about early brain and child development, how brains are built, and how the brain is connected to the rest of the body.

Resources

Early Brain and Child Development 101: Why Peekaboo Matters

Early Brain and Child Development 101: Why Peekaboo Matters

Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains

Third Party Link

A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains

Key Concepts: Brain Architecture

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Key Concepts: Brain Architecture

InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health

The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood

InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development

InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health

Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood

Third Party Link

Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships

Children’s Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of their Brain

Children’s Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of their Brain

Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture

Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture

The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture

The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture

Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development

Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class

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Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class

Experiences Build Brain Architecture

Third Party Link

Experiences Build Brain Architecture

InBrief: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body

FrameWorks: Framing Early Relational Health

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FrameWorks: Framing Early Relational Health

8 Things to Remember about Child Development

8 Things to Remember about Child Development

FrameWorks: Framing How Brains are Built

Third Party Link

FrameWorks: Framing How Brains are Built

Epigenetics and Child Development: How Children’s Experiences Affect their Genes