Too Much Stress

"In early childhood, the most important force shaping the development of qualities such as grit and resilience turns out to be a surprising one: stress."  This is the conclusion of Paul Tough in his article, "How Kids Learn Resilience," in The Atlantic (June 2016).  He explains...

"On a cognitive level, chronically elevated stress can disrupt the development of ... executive functions: higher order mental abilities... which include working memory, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility [which are exceptionally helpful in navigating unfamiliar situations and processing new information, which is exactly what we ask children to do at school every day....

"For children who grow up without significant experiences of adversity, the skill-development process leading up to kindergarten generally works the way it is supposed to: Calm, consistent, responsive interactions in infancy with parents and other caregivers create neural connections that lay the foundation for a healthy array of attention and concentration skills.  Just as early stress sends signals to the nervous system to maintain constant vigilance and prepare for a lifetime of trouble, early warmth and responsiveness send the opposite signals: You're safe; life is going to be fine.  Let down your guard; the people around you will protect you and provide for you.  Be curious about the world; it's full of fascinating surprises.  These messages trigger adaptations in children's brains that allow them to slow down and consider problems and decisions more carefully, to focus their attention for longer periods, and to more willingly trade immediate gratification for promises of long-term benefits."

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