Childhood Injury and Your Child's Brain
Your Child’s Brain
Healthy development is key for your child’s brain, especially during the early formative years (0-5 years old). These years lay down the foundation and building blocks your child will need for lifelong health (emotionally, physically, psychologically), educational achievement, relationships, community involvement and workforce opportunities.
We also know when children experience early injuries or trauma it can impact typical development and have lifelong consequences.
In this section, you will find resources: related to neurodevelopment, executive function skills and social emotional development; for parents, caregivers and professionals who work with children.
Your Child’s Brain Information
Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience
Research shows that children who end up doing well in life, despite adversity and hardships, had at least one stable relationship with a parent, caregiver or other adult figure.
Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture
Foundations of brain architecture are established early in life through a series of interactions within the environment and personal experiences.
Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships
Healthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a young child’s relationships with the important people in his or her’s life; both within and outside the family. Those key relationships support development of the child’s brain architecture during early development.
Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood
Early childhood development tells us that the foundation for sound mental health is built early in life, those experiences shape the architecture of the developing brain.
When Your Child’s Head Has Been Hurt
This card lists some common signs that your child may have a mild brain injury. It also gives information on what to do if you notice these signs after your child’s head has been hurt.
Cuando su Hijo (a) se ha Lastimado la Cabeza
Esta tarjeta enumera algunos signos comunes de que su niño puede haber sufrido un daño cerebral. También contiene información sobre qué hacer si usted nota estos signos después de que su hijo(a) se ha lastimado su cabeza.
Spanish version of “When Your Child’s Head Has Been Hurt.”
Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control System”
From the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child a guide on how early childhood experiences shape development of executive function.
Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children
A practical guide of activities to help enhance executive functions in children from infancy through adolescence.
Executive Function: Skills for Life and Learning
A brief summary from the Center on the Developing Child from Harvard University on executive function: skills needed for life and learning.
Executive Function Support by Parents
A guide for parents on how to support executive function skills in children.
Understanding Brain Injury
Mayo Clinic – Understanding Brain Injury – A guide for parents.
Assistive Technology – A Parents Guide
A guide for parents on assistive technology and how it can support your child with a disability.
5 Steps for Brain Building – Serve and Return
A 5 step guide for parents/guardians to practice serve and return with their children.
8 Things to Remember About Child Development
From the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University these are the 8 things to know and remember about early childhood development.
Inbrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development
A brief summary of the science of early childhood development from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
Additional Resources
There are national and statewide resources and events listed below. Please take a look and see how you can support your communities, schools, organizations, and families and bring awareness to the forefront on brain injury and neuro-impairment.
Center on the Developing Child
What is early childhood development
Center on the Developing Child
Brain Architecture
Center on the Developing Child
Guide to Executive Function
Center on the Developing Child
Resilience
Center on the Developing Child
Early Childhood Mental Health
Brainline
Children With TBI
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Heads Up Campaign for Youth
Arizona Department of Health Services
Healthy Babies
Arizona Department of Health Services
Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs