ABSTRACT
Neural growth in the vulnerable and developing brain is strongly influenced by environmental conditions and a direct result of the various experiences a child has, whether developmentally supportive or traumatic and impairing. Early experiences of chronic stress and trauma can interrupt normal synaptic growth, leading a young child’s brain to develop differently, with negative outcomes that can last a lifetime without proper intervention. Early childhood educators have long days, juggle many responsibilities, endure significant stress and most are very passionate about what they do. As reflected in the words of Martin Fuentes and Joyce Darbo, the early childhood workforce faces a wide range of stressors inside and outside of work, and these stressors impact early educators’ professional work. As the early childhood workforce is primarily women, a significant percentage are women of color and, almost half live in poverty and qualify for public subsidies, early childhood educators experience many forms of oppression.
