Speaker Series: Breakthrough Research on Building Better Brains

Click here to watch from your iPad/iPhone.

Watch video excerpts from this event.

About:

Watch the discussion on breakthrough brain development research, led by Dr. Jack Shonkoff, director of Harvard's Center on the Developing Child and chairman of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. Revolutionary research reveals that persistent highly adverse experiences actually damage a child's brain circuits. Toxic stress in children comes from living with physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, severe maternal depression and prolonged economic hardship. These children not only become poor learners; they suffer lifelong negative consequences, such as higher rates of heart disease and substance abuse. To address toxic stress in children’s lives, communities need innovative educational, health and social solutions.

Continue the conversation on Twitter using #B25.

News:

• Toxic Stress and Survival of Our Species
• Huffington Post: Obama Budget: Congress Weighs Homeless Children's 'Toxic Stress'
• New York Times Magazine Parenting Blog: ‘Toxic Stress’ Can Harm Children for Life
• Los Angeles Times: Pediatricians issue a call to aid children facing 'toxic stress'
• New York Times: A Poverty Solution That Starts With a Hug, Nicholas Kristof
• Blank Family Foundation to Host Event Featuring Groundbreaking Brain Research

Resources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement: Early Childhood Adversity, Toxic Stress, and the Role of the Pediatrician: Translating Developmental Science Into Lifelong Health
• U.S. Dept. of Health and Federally funded experiments to address toxic stress
• Harvard University: Center on the Developing Child
• Science of Early Childhood
• Toxic Stress: The Facts
• CDC: The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan