The neurobiological basis of trauma in early childhood

This chapter explores the effects of early childhood trauma on the neurobiological development and structure of the brain. We place a particular focus on trauma experienced in the Australian Aboriginal culture, including transgenerational trauma, in order to support our work with preschool children and staff in Aboriginal areas. We aim to gain a better understanding of the causes and effects of trauma in order to provide more effective and timely therapeutic interventions. For the benefit of a foundational understanding to our work we will define exactly what stress and trauma are, the trauma caused by colonization and transgenerational trauma, and how these affect early brain development. We will also discuss the importance of healthy relationships and attachments in the early years; the impact of trauma and stress on a child's well-being from a physiological, psychological, and social perspective; and, finally, interventions for helping to heal this trauma. As child therapists, art therapists, social workers, psychotherapists, and preschool teachers, we understand the devastating effects trauma experienced in childhood can have on the development of any child. But what these children are experiencing is perhaps even more acute and devastating given the vast change in their social structure in such a very short period of time, and the chaos this has caused to their communities, family groups, and identities.