Bruce Perry, Early Childhood Brain Development

Children are resilient, a common aphorism, but not necessarily true. Renowned child psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce Perry has researched how a child's environment, particularly those who encounter trauma, affects the child's brain development. Perry talks about his clinical work with children, who experienced trauma, how that stress led to both physical and mental health complications and what can be done to improve the lives of at-risk young people. He also talks about our society and how our ancient ancestors had much more supportive social structures for children than today's youth.
Perry began his career as a neuroscientist and child psychiatrist in the mid-1980's where he gained an understanding that the earliest experiences of babies and young children affected their overall development. In his book, "The Boy Who was Raised As A Dog," he shares stories about some of his patients who experienced trauma including children who witnessed the murder of a parent, children released from the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas and a child who lived in a cage. The book, co-written with science journalist Maia Szalavitz, explains the complexity of outcomes that can be caused from neglect, maltreatment or specific traumatic event even in the first few months of a baby's life. Yet, it is not examples of lives tragically broken, Perry also offers therapeutic strategies to assist these children to overcome some of the damage.
Research and involvement with his patients led Perry to realize that children can suffer from post-traumatic-stress syndrome, not just soldiers returning from war. He found that sometimes, children who were acting out had experienced stress or trauma early in their development that caused them to act in a socially inappropriate manner. Perry witnessed that not all parents inherently give their children the proper positive physical and emotional attention needed for their babies to grow and thrive. At times, extreme intervention is needed for parents and caregivers to be taught how to care for the needs of a child.
Jane Whyde, executive director of Franklin County Family and Children First, says that "In a time when we are focused on the importance of kindergarten readiness, third grade reading promise and high school graduation, Perry gives us keys to helping youth be able to learn and succeed in a school setting." She continues, "If we want, as a culture, to ultimately produce tax payers instead of tax consumers, this is the essential place to start. As communities, we must prioritize making this a safe and welcoming world for children, and partner with parents to assure that children have what they need to grow into strong, healthy, contributing adults."

[@andrewcook9004]

This needs to be mainstream, not in an obscure pigenhole in KZbin

[@marialiedke3660]

Totally agree with what he is saying...however...until parents are educated, look at their own relational patterns and how these patterns came about in their early years development stage and have support with this, they will not have the skills needed to give their children the connectedness needed to make the changes in their generational behaviours and patterns.

[@annelee7450]

I love your speech, it is crucial for us as human-being who are eager to learn about true loving relationships in human world.

[@gaillongo1455]

In 1922, Elbert Hubbard wrote:"In a Montessori School , the children work, talk, play, prepare their meals,make their plans,learn to write incidentally and accidentally through desire and not through compulsion.Dr. Montessori takes children from 2 years old and up. She utilizes the services of the older children in caring for the young--thus carrying out Froebel's idea of the 'Little Other Mothers." This is the natural way ,in a big family..."

[@Astria1979]

Dr Bruce Perry, such an inspiration. If you've not read his book 'The boy who was raised as a dog' then I can't recommend it enough.

[@israeljacobs1966]

Astria1979 I had a best friend in first grade who was treated like a dog. When i first met him, it was cool, then one day he was crying because his dad put his pee pee in his butt. And his dad told him if he doesn't let himself get punished, his little siblings will not live a good life. Then one day his little brother was born. His dad told him he was either going to cut off his penis or kill his brother. Guess what, his penis was cut off. He showed me his bandage. He made me promise him to help him not let anything happen to his siblings. It was a difficult time for me. Oh yeah, we was never allowed to wear clothes in the house, only fed dog food or semen, and he only slept in the back yard, even when its hot. He ate out of a dog bowl, and slept in a dog house. He was taken to a motel 3 to 4 times a week too. He was also beaten a lot too as a form of discipline to his siblings. They even treated him like a dog. Now that he is still alive, he is so badly conditioned that he needs pain for comfort.

[@quinnrivers527]

Yes, agree, agree, agree! Invest in the beginning - the positive outcomes are priceless.

[@adeerwater]

" you can love your why to reason, but you can't reason the way to love"

[@gurjitbasi1804]

Thank you for sharing informative. We need to spend time raising our children remember it takes a community to raise a child.

[@jokeryjoker2901]

Great scientist! Also Dr. Vincent Felitti's ACE study complements so very much how diseases and symptoms will show up in adult life. To me the circle of evil finally closes. We need to look out for each other not for our careers only.

[@Abishoy07]

Insightful, first-time listening to Dr Bruce and l got some insights that I hope to incorporate and put into practice. So, thank you!!

[@ENLIGHTENMENTING]

Thanks for the video. It strucks me over all two facts that I didn't know,(if I understood well): The importance of education reading the bible in the protestant Scotland, and the second the powerful teaching about Shakespeare: you can love your way to reason but you cannot to reason your way to love (importance of emotions). Thanks.

[@jannitamirisi]

that's why dolphins can have super pods over 1000 strong in the south pacific

[@mariamakinen2651]

I was under control check-ups of my birth doctors until everything was ok . There was no signs of brain damage found by the age of 8. I am being given extremely unnecessary diagnostics. My brains have been told to be that of a genius in my later years. This is sheer mindfuckery by the mean.i have an x-ray to prove you.thanking