Children's Minds

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Help parents and carers reduce the level of stress their child is exposed to, by giving them support to manage any challenges their family is experiencing. Despite not reading it that long ago, I can't remember any specifics, but do remember an overall theme that suggests that children are capable of a lot more than Piaget (and others) may have initially given them credit for, and that tasks are made considerably easier for them when you place them in context and use appropriate language. This was the take home message for me really. Not really that much of a surprise I suppose, but something that I think could be easily overlooked (certainly in my case as I'm used to working with adults). Shonkoff, J.P. et al (2014), Excessive stress disrupts the architecture of the developing brain: working paper 3 (PDF). Cambridge: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. Who is Good At This Game? Linking an Activity to a Social Category Undermines Children’s Achievement

Kids Mind Skills Kids Mind Skills

Sensitive and responsive adult-child relationships help build children’s cognitive skills and brain architecture. Research shows a clear link between social and emotional development and intellectual growth (Shonkoff, Boyce and McEwen, 2009). Everyone experiences stress, and learning how to cope with stresses is an important part of child brain development (Shonkoff et al, 2014). Start talking to parents and carers about what support they need as soon as problems are identified. Creativity is children’s unique response to all that they see, hear, feel and experience. A child’s individual responses to materials, experiences and ideas inspire their creativity and imagination.Some stress can be ‘positive’, such as solving problems or preparing for an exam. With adult or peer support, these experiences can help children develop coping and concentration skills that will help in later life. Healthy brain growth in infancy continues to depend on the right care and nutrition. Because children’s brains are still growing, they are especially vulnerable to traumatic head injuries, infections, or toxins, such as lead. Childhood vaccines, such as the measles vaccine, can protect children from dangerous complications like swelling of the brain. Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to healthy foods and places to live and play that are healthy and safefor their child can help them provide more nurturing care. But if children are exposed to prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences, such as child abuse and neglect, this can cause ‘toxic’ or ‘harmful’ stress, where they start to feel more stressed more often and for longer periods. This can disrupt the building of healthy brain architecture (Shonkoff et al, 2014).

Children’s Minds – HarperCollins Publishers UK

This means that it’s important for professionals to recognise the load that parents and carers might be carrying, provide appropriate support and work with families to reduce unnecessary weight and strain.Children’s responses can be physical, emotional, social, cultural or a combination. Younger children might respond in verbal and non verbal ways, for example, a toddler swaying to music. All of these creative experiences build powerful connections within the brain, Creativity is associated with focus, independence, a willingness to explore and ingenuity. Take time to understand a parent or carer’s position. Sometimes services designed to help might be overwhelming for already overloaded parents. In our nurseries we see the expressive arts and design part of the curriculum as an opportunity for the children to experience everything in a way that is bigger and messier. We provide a wide range of materials with lots of everything.” All parents, carers, family, friends or those who work with children can help tip the scales positively.

Children’s Minds by Margaret Donaldson | Goodreads Children’s Minds by Margaret Donaldson | Goodreads

Exposure to stress and trauma can have long-term negative consequences for the child’s brain, whereas talking, reading, and playing can stimulate brain growth. Ensuring that parents, caregivers, and early childhood care providers have the resources and skills to provide safe, stable, nurturing, and stimulating care is an important public health goal. Shonkoff, J.P. et al (2008) The timing and quality of early experiences combine to shape brain architecture: working paper 5 (PDF). Cambridge: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University. As children develop in imagination and creativity they are able to tell a story, relate to other people, keep themselves emotionally grounded and enter their imaginary worlds. Video Siegel, D. J. and Bryson, T. P. (2012) The whole-brain child 12 revolutionary strategies to nurture your child's developing mind, survive everyday parenting struggles, and help your family thrive. London: Robinson.

Toxic stress: the effects of stress on child development

Let the children explore sounds that can be made from ordinary household objects. Encourage links with parents or carers and ask them to help their child choose things from their kitchen cupboards at home. Challenge the children to make sounds from all the objects and utensils. Kendall-Taylor, N and Stanley, K (2018) Seeing context through metaphor: using communications research to bring a social determinants perspective to public thinking about child abuse and neglect. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(1): 8-14. A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface. AddThis sets this geolocation cookie to help understand the location of users who share the information.