Understanding social-emotional health and trauma

Research shows that a caregiver's sensitivity, ability to provide appropriate learning opportunities and to interact warmly are related to improved cognitive development and more positive behaviour of children (Smyke et 01., 2007). Some children are more susceptible to variations in quality of the care environment than others. For example, we know that aggression and pro-social behaviours in young children are underpinned by their genetic make-up, but recent research suggests that infants with a difficult temperament are more sensitive to particular environmental stressors and therefore are more likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviours when stressed (Dilallo, Elam & Smolen, 2009). In addition, where mothers have been stressed during pregnancy, their infants are more susceptible to variations in the quality of their rearing environments, and thus more likely to demonstrate emotional cognitive, language and behaviour problems in stressful contexts (Tolge, Neat Glover & Early Stress Translational Research and Prevention Science Network Fetal and Neonatal Experience on Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2007).