The Importance of Emotional Support in Early Years
The phrase "Give me a child until he is 7, and I will show you the man" is often attributed to St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuit order. The saying highlights the belief that a child's early years are formative in shaping their future character and beliefs.
Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, shaping the foundation for a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Neuroscience, psychology, and biology all converge to highlight the profound impact of an emotionally supportive environment on a child’s neural development, stress regulation, and long-term mental health.
Neuroscience Perspective: The Brain’s Plasticity in Early Childhood
1 How Early Experiences Wire the Brain
The brain develops through experience-dependent plasticity, meaning that every interaction a child has affects the strength and formation of neural connections.
Positive, consistent emotional interactions strengthen neural pathways associated with emotion control, trust, and security.
If a child repeatedly experiences stress, neglect, or trauma, the brain over-develops survival-based pathways (fear, hypervigilance) and under-develops social-emotional areas.
2️ The Role of Cortisol & Stress Hormones
The amygdala (fear center) is highly active in young children and is extremely sensitive to stress.
If a child experiences chronic emotional distress their body releases excessive cortisol (stress hormone).
High cortisol levels disrupt the growth of the prefrontal cortex (which controls reasoning, impulse control, and emotional regulation).
In contrast, a safe, nurturing environment keeps stress levels low, allowing the prefrontal cortex to thrive and enabling healthy decision-making and social skills later in life.
🧠Key Takeaway: The earliest relationships set the stage for how a child’s brain handles stress, emotions, and learning for the rest of their life.
Psychology Perspective: Emotional Security & Attachment Theory
1 Secure Attachment and Emotional Regulation
Children with secure attachments (who receive comfort, love, and emotional responsiveness) learn to regulate emotions effectively.
They develop higher self-esteem, better focus, and stronger social skills.
In contrast, children in emotionally chaotic or neglectful environments struggle with trust, emotional control, and anxiety.
2 Emotional Co-Regulation: Learning to Calm the Nervous System
Young children don’t have the ability to regulate their own emotions. They rely on co-regulation, meaning they borrow emotional stability from a calm, caring adult.
If a child is soothed and reassured when distressed, their nervous system learns how to calm itself in the future.
If a child is left to “cry it out” or experiences frequent emotional neglect, their stress responses become hypersensitive, making them more prone to anxiety and emotional dysregulation later in life.
🧠Key Takeaway: A child’s early emotional experiences teach them how to handle emotions and relationships throughout life.
Biology Perspective: Why a Calm Environment Supports Healthy Development
1 The Development of the Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, focus, and emotional control, is still developing in young children.
A calm, safe environment allows optimal neural growth, while chronic stress stunts this area’s development, leading to attention issues, impulsivity, or difficulty managing emotions.
2 Oxytocin: The "Bonding Hormone"
When a child experiences loving, positive interactions, their brain releases oxytocin, which strengthens emotional bonds and trust.
Oxytocin counteracts stress hormones, making children more resilient to future stressors.
Without consistent love and reassurance, children have lower oxytocin levels, making them more likely to develop anxiety or social difficulties later.
🧠Key Takeaway: A nurturing environment helps children develop emotional stability, focus, and the ability to form healthy relationships later in life.
Why Emotional Stability in Early Childhood Matters for Future Success
Studies show that children who grow up in emotionally stable environments tend to:
💡 Have higher emotional intelligence (EQ)
💡 Develop better problem-solving skills
💡 Form healthier relationships
💡 Handle stress and setbacks more effectively
💡 Have stronger memory and focus
On the other hand, children who experience high stress, emotional neglect, or instability are at higher risk for:
🚨 Anxiety and depression in later years
🚨 Difficulties forming secure relationships
🚨 Trouble focusing or managing emotions
🚨 A hypersensitive nervous system that reacts strongly to stress
My wellbeing workshops teach children, parents and teachers how to create emotionally secure environments, thereby laying the foundation for more resilience, emotional intelligence, and lifelong mental health.
