Children’s emotional, social and brain development (DAA023)

Understand how early experiences impact brain development and children’s behaviour

Children’s emotional, social and brain development

Fee: £99

Duration: 4.5 hours

Delivery: Online: self-study

Qualification: CPD certificate

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This course is also available as part of a cost-saving course bundle.

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This interactive online course – newly refreshed with improved accessibility and enhanced learning resources – will help you to understand children’s emotional, social and psychological development in the context of new research into the brain, body and nervous system. You’ll gain insights into how early experiences can shape the structure and functioning of our brains and nervous systems, and how this can be seen in children’s behaviours, minds and emotions.

You’ll explore key concepts through interactive content and videos, deepen your understanding via opportunities for reflection and consider case studies to help apply the theory to your work, collecting a certificate on completion.

By the end of this clear and accessible course, you will have a better understanding of the effects of trauma, neglect and abuse, how resilience can develop and how this information can be used to positive effect in your practice when working with children and young people.

Please note: this course was previously available under the individual titles Children’s brain and emotional development and Nature vs nurture: how infants learn to fit into their environments.

Aims and learning objectives

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

analyse the factors that influence children’s brain, emotional and social development from the prenatal period and infancy to adolescence
evaluate how the environment, genetics, early experiences and adversity affect children’s behaviour, emotional regulation and long-term outcomes
interpret children’s behaviour through the lenses of brain development, attachment theory and trauma
apply trauma-informed approaches to promote resilience and recovery following adversity, and support children’s wellbeing.

Who will I learn from?

Dr Graham Music, the writer and lead for this course, is a psychotherapist, trainer and author, working clinically with children, families and adults for over 30 years.

“I am excited to be offering the Understanding child development, attachment and resilience courses, of which this is one. They provide an indispensable synthesis of the latest clinical and scientific knowledge about children’s emotional development,” says Dr Graham Music. “They integrate longstanding clinical understandings from the Tavistock’s child psychotherapy traditions with a wealth of new and classical research from areas such as attachment theory, neuroscience, developmental psychology and cross-cultural studies.

“They unpack the most significant influences on the developing child, including the family and social context, looking at key developmental stages and covering important topics such as genes and environment, trauma, neglect, resilience and neurobiology. Full of fascinating findings, they provide answers to many of the questions people really want to ask about child development.

“By understanding why a child presents as they do, we can become less judgemental, and so more able to offer them the help that they need.”

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for individuals, teams and organisations and we welcome anyone who has a keen interest in the subject area. In particular, this course is for you if you are working with children, young people and families, and wish to learn more about cutting edge research in this area, and how it can be applied to your work.

You may be working in social services, healthcare, education or youth work, the voluntary sector or you may be considering work with children in the future. It’s also suitable for practitioners working with Best Start Family Hubs or Healthy Babies services.

Course details

This online course runs continuously, meaning that you can sign up at any time. It offers 4.5 hours of self-directed learning which you can undertake at a time, pace and location that suits you.

You will have access to the course and its materials for one year. Access begins the next working day after you’ve booked, when you will receive your account details by email.

There are two units within this course:

Children’s emotional, social and brain development
The impact of adversity on child development

This course is also available as part of the Understanding child development, attachment and resilience course bundle, a cost-saving, convenient option that offers one year’s access to 9.5 hours of learning content over three complementary courses.

The three courses making up the bundle can also be studied individually. This course, Children’s emotional, social and brain development, offers a general introduction to the topics over 4.5 hours of learning content. Attachment and early relationship patterns and Childhood trauma, neglect and resilience dive more deeply into those specific topics and each offer 2.5 hours of learning content.

You’ll explore a wide range of topics related to children’s emotional, social and brain development from before birth to adolescence. These topics include:

how early experiences and relationships shape brain architecture and development
attachment, attunement and emotional regulation
how children adapt to their environments
neuroplasticity, learning and memory
the brain, nervous system and stress responses
genetics, epigenetics and development
prenatal stress, anxiety, depression and substance exposure
trauma, abuse and neglect
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
resilience, recovery and trauma-informed support
adolescent brain development and risk-taking.

You’ll learn through a mix of:

clear and practical learning objectives
knowledge check questions and self-reflection prompts
over 25 short video and audio clips
a range of images, diagrams, charts and infographics
engaging interactive activities and real-life case studies
key takeaways and handy unit summaries.

There are no specific requirements for the course, although we suggest you are working with, or have an interest in working with children, or want to learn more about the effects of difficult early experiences on children’s minds and behaviours.

At the end of the course, you will find a multiple-choice question assessment to check your own knowledge and understanding. A certificate, listing the number of learning hours undertaken, is downloadable on completion of the course.

Training for organisations

Looking to enhance the skills of your team or workforce and create long-lasting impact?

We can offer discounts for group bookings, as well as packages tailored to your specific workforce requirements, including:

an initial consultation to help identify your team’s training needs and knowledge gaps
a flexible, bespoke training programme combining this self-study course with live elements such as reflective sessions or follow-up workshops for deeper learning

For more information on how we can support your organisation, please contact us.

Testimonials

“This is an excellent course, well laid out, clear and easy to use giving students a comprehensive understanding on how adverse early childhood experiences shape the structure and function of the brain, impacting emotional, psychological and physical development all the way into adult life. The course covers both the challenges and possibilities of change working with children and adolescents who have experienced developmental trauma and neglect. ”

Psychotherapist

“This course is important for anyone working with children. It draws upon extensive up to date research to explain the long lasting emotional, physical and psychological effects of adverse childhood experiences. It helpfully explains how children and young people in schools and society may feel and behave because of their early experiences. I found the combination of videos, diagrams and reading very helpful in explaining complex concepts. The course includes important relevant topics such as the effects of technology and social media.”

Child and Family Psychodynamic Psychotherapist

“This is a ‘must’ for people from all sectors working with children and young people wanting to get an understanding of why so many children and young people struggle as they do. The material is easily accessible, incredibly clear and engaging, leaving me wanting to know more!”

Psychotherapist

“Really excellent course. Very informative in terms of sharing current research on brain development, linking how genetics and environment impact the developing mind and beyond. It has helped to enhance my work with clients. Loved the fact I could log on and complete over several weeks in my own time. This was particularly helpful at a time when demands on time have been greater due to balancing work, home schooling and life in general! Many thanks to all involved in producing such a worthwhile course.”

Student

“This course gave me an essential insight into the development of a young person, their psychology and how their brain evolves, right from the prenatal stages of growth and in relation to traumatic experiences in their early life. I would thoroughly recommend this program to anyone planning to work in children’s services.”

Forest School Site Manager

“This course provided me with knowledge that has enriched both my personal and professional life and understanding of the subject. The course was incredibly well-structured, breaking down neuroscience concepts into easy-to-understand ideas. It offered valuable insights into how children’s brains are wired to process emotions, how they cope with stress, and the critical role of early experiences in emotional well-being.”

Higher Level Teaching Assistant

“Absolutely loved this course, and would recommend everyone to complete it: parents, teachers, and any human being who would like to understand themselves more or the children they work with.”

Head of Early Years

Why study with us?

Tavistock Education and Training offers a wide range of life-changing CPD and postgraduate courses, drawing on over a century of work at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing. As part of North London NHS Foundation Trust, we ground your learning in the latest clinical practice and research, with each course developed by our expert clinician-tutors, in the only NHS Trust registered with the Office for Students. We have made our training accessible and available to everyone to explore in your own time, at your own pace.

Course facilitators

Graham Music

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

Book your place today

This course runs continuously. You can book a place at any time using our MyTAP booking system. Access begins the next working day after you’ve booked, when you will receive login details by email.

Save with our cost-effective bundles

This course is also available as part of a convenient, cost-saving bundle – providing you with one year’s access to three complementary online resources.

Find out more

CPD certificate