Brain development and mental health
There are two critical periods of brain development: infancy and puberty. During infancy, children continuously learn and form new neural connections from their environment. The amygdala and hippocampus play a vital role in infancy development and response to emotions in situations- you can learn more below:
Your child’s school may be subscribed to an app called My happy Mind which has ideas and skills you can use to improve you and your child’s brain science understanding- you can check this out here.
You can understand more about development of a child’s mental health by engaging in wider watching
In puberty, the brain undergoes ‘re-wiring’ to transition from childhood to adulthood, with teenage brains being more driven by emotions and reactions than by logic and thought. This helps explain typical teenage behaviours such as impulsivity, risk-taking, aggression, irritability, and mood changes.
Children and young people may face stressful or traumatic events that impact their brain development and wellbeing differently. While not all will need extra support, some may benefit from professional help to address these effects.
Attachment, the emotional bond formed between a child and their parents or carers from birth, plays a crucial role in development and future relationships. Positive attachment creates healthier relationships and self- worth, while negative early experiences can lead to attachment difficulties, making it harder to build positive relationships and manage emotions.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are specific examples of stressful or traumatic events that can impact a child’s attachment and overall wellbeing. ACEs can include:
Physical or sexual abuse.- Emotional abuse.
- Household instability.
- Exposure to Domestic violence.
- Loss of a parent through divorce, death, or abandonment.
ACES are common with around 47% of people experiencing at least one, being aware of ACES can help understand and support your child’s behaviour.
Wider watching about ACES –