InBrief: The Science of Neglect

This video explains why chronic neglect is so harmful to young children and why policies that focus on preventing neglect and promote reliable, responsive caregiving can support healthy brain development and reduce long-term health risks.

Safe, stable environments are essential for young children’s development and lifelong well-being. Science has shown that early exposure to maltreatment or neglect can disrupt the development of healthy brain architecture, affecting learning, problem-solving, and relationships. Chronic neglect—the ongoing disruption or significant absence of caregiver responsiveness—is particularly damaging, with research showing it leads to more widespread developmental impacts than abuse, despite receiving less attention in policy and practice.

This short video is an overview of “The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain,” a Working Paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.

Learn more about the science of neglect—as well as supportive strategies for children and caregivers—in this guide from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/r...

View our InBrief video series for more short summaries of other topics in early childhood development, including executive function and resilience:    • InBrief Series  

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