Early Childhood Brain Development and Health

Importance of Early Childhood Experiences

• Early childhood brain development influences investments in early learning programs.
• Experiences impact lifelong physical and mental health, not just school readiness.
• Biological systems are interconnected and adapt to the environment.

The Body's Response to Stress

• The brain controls responses to threats, affecting various systems:
  • Cardiovascular (increase heart rate and blood pressure)
  • Metabolic (increase blood sugar availability)
  • Immune (alert for wounds/infections)
  • Neuroendocrine (increase stress hormones)
• Chronic stress causes wear and tear, leading to chronic diseases.

Chronic Diseases and Early Childhood Adversity

• Diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression have roots in early adversity.
• These diseases cost over $600 billion annually in healthcare.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

• Begins prenatally and extends into early childhood.
• Principles of early learning include:
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Building skills
  • Reducing stress sources

Major Sources of Early Life Adversity

• Poverty, discrimination, violence, maltreatment, child abuse, and neglect.
• Systemic racism and discrimination add constant stress for families of color.
• Biological effects of different adversities are similar.

Addressing Systemic Issues

• Need to tackle upstream systemic issues causing stress and hardship.
• Policies and resources should be interconnected across education, health, and human services sectors.

Role of Pediatric Primary Care

• Pediatric care sees almost all children from birth, providing engagement opportunities with families.
• Promotes healthy development and connects families to services early.
• Need to integrate pediatrics into a broader early childhood ecosystem.

Conclusion

• Early childhood principles influence both physical and mental health foundations for a lifetime.