Discussion Post: The Impact of Early Adversity
Ideally, children are exposed to positive factors within their environment that accumulate and contribute, over time, to positive developmental outcomes. Many children, however, are exposed to adverse experiences, including such things as homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, abuse, and toxic stress. These adverse experiences can have a lifelong, toxic impact on the brain (Shonkoff et al., 2011).
Early childhood professionals have an essential role in creating and supporting stable, responsive environments that reduce and reverse the impact of adversity (Center on the Developing Child, 2015b). In this Discussion, you explore the impact of adverse experiences and the role of the early childhood professional in supporting healthy, nurturing developmental contexts.
The response should include a reference list. Using one-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.