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Influence of Birth to Age 5 Experiences on Emotional and Psychological Health

Frederick P. Rivara, MD, MPH, Editor; Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH, Associate Editor

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2009;163(7):666.

As summarized in the Institute of Medicine report From Neurons to Neighborhoods, extensive research has documented that the period from birth to age 5 years represents a critical window of human cognitive and social development.^1-4 The newborn brain triples in size in the first 2 years of life in direct response to external stimulation. Early experiences of all kinds, cognitive and social, particularly family and parenting experiences, affect children's current and future behavior.⁵ Improved imaging techniques, genomic studies, and examination of neurotransmitters, cytokines, and hormones have helped to elucidate the biological effects of these early environmental exposures, especially physiological and psychological challenges, on young children's behavior and that of the future adolescent and adult.^6-7

For the May 2010 theme issue of the Archives, we are specifically interested in the effects of life experiences and exposures occurring during this critical window of child development on the emotional and psychological health and development—or ill health—of children both during that age and at later ages during childhood and adolescence. We are interested in the range of life experiences from harmful to beneficial. Studies that further clarify the biological basis in which these early life experiences have both immediate and long-lasting effects on the emotional and psychological health of children are of particular interest.

A variety of human studies can contribute new knowledge to this area. Observational designs, especially longitudinal studies, can highlight the causal chain in the effects of early experiences on emotional and psychological health. Genomic studies can help us to understand the biological interaction of nature and nurture and can help us better understand the reasons why some children are resilient in the face of multiple risk factors while other children are not. Randomized controlled trials on the prevention or management of behavior problems can guide both future practice and public policy. Laboratory-based experiments can guide future clinical trials and interventions.

We are interested as well in the variety of disciplines that continue to make contributions to how early experiences and exposures affect both short- and long-term outcomes, including psychology, pediatrics, psychiatry, sociology, education, economics, and nutrition.

In highlighting the influence of birth to age 5 experiences on emotional and psychological health as a theme issue for the Archives for May 2010, we are interested in papers that peer into all aspects of this critical window of child development. It is our hope that consolidating a broad array of articles into this theme issue will help focus public and scientific attention on this age.

Papers submitted by September 30, 2009, have the best chance of acceptance. Please go to our Web site at http://www.archpediatrics.com for full submission information. If you have questions regarding a paper's suitability, do not hesitate to contact us.

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Correspondence: Dr Rivara, The Child Health Institute, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St, 210, Seattle, WA 98115-8160 (fpr{at}u.washington.edu).

Financial Disclosure: None reported.  

REFERENCES
1. Shonkoff JP, Phillips DA. From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Child Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 2000. 2. Kuhl PK. Early language acquisition: cracking the speech code. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2004;5(11):831-843. FULL TEXT | ISI | PUBMED 3. Kuhl PK, Williams KA, Lacerda F, Stevens KN, Lindblom B. Linguistic experience alters phonetic perception in infants by 6 months of age. Science. 1992;255(5044):606-608. FREE FULL TEXT 4. Meltzoff AN, Moore MK. Imitation of facial and manual gestures by human neonates. Science. 1977;198(4312):74-78. ABSTRACT 5. Perry BD. Childhood experience and the expression of genetic potential: what childhood neglect tells us about nature and nurture. Brain Mind. 2002;3:79-100. FULL TEXT 6. Miller G, Chen E, Cole SW. Health psychology: developing biologically plausible models linking the social world and physical health. Annu Rev Psychol. 2009;60:501-524. FULL TEXT | ISI | PUBMED 7. Marin TJ, Chen E, Munch JA, Miller GE. Double-exposure to acute stress and chronic family stress is associated with immune changes in children with asthma. Psychosom Med. 2009;71(4):378-384. FREE FULL TEXT

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