The building blocks of the brain develop from the bottom to the top. When children feel safe and nurtured, they spend more time in the upper building blocks of the brain where they do their most important learning such as bonding with you, learning to talk, and getting along with others. When children feel unsafe or threatened, they spend more time in the lower building blocks of the brain—focusing on survival. This can lead to changes in the brain including:
- • Less development of the upper brain
- • Smaller brain size
- • Fewer brain connections
The lower building blocks of the brain, which are connecting and developing first, are extremely sensitive to trauma. and developing first, are extremely sensitive to trauma. stress. Children experiencing early trauma are often easily overwhelmed by minor stressors such as a change in their schedule or routine. They have difficulty soothing or calming themselves. The following problem behaviors are common among children who experience trauma:
- • Difficulty with focusing and paying attention
- • Anxious, unable to settle down
- • Bullying and other aggressive behaviors
