Description
POLYVAGAL THEORY AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Book Summary
An essential work that applies the principles of polyvagal theory to child care and development. Pediatrician Marilyn R. Sanders and psychiatrist George S. Thompson explain how the unconscious sense of safety or danger shapes children's emotions and behavior. The book offers a neurobiological framework for healthcare professionals, educators, and therapists to understand the impact of trauma on child development and learn how to restore a sense of safety in children, even in adverse situations.
What is it about?
The book draws on Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory to analyze how the autonomic nervous system regulates social connection and stress response from birth. Sanders and Thompson explore how early experiences of insecurity, abandonment, or trauma alter a child's ability to love, trust, and relate to others. Through clinical cases and decades of practice, the authors demonstrate that caregivers and professionals can intervene by activating the neural pathways that promote safety and connection. The work covers everything from the prenatal stage to adolescence, offering concrete strategies to detect signs of unconscious danger and restore a state of calm that allows for healthy development.
Main Topics
- Polyvagal theory applied to child development and interpersonal neurobiology
- Impact of early trauma (medical, physical, or emotional) on the child's nervous system
- Unconscious processing of sensory information and its influence on behavior
- Clinical strategies to create safe environments in healthcare and educational contexts
- Restoration of the capacity for social connection and emotional regulation in childhood
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at pediatricians, neonatologists, clinical psychologists, child psychiatrists, social workers, occupational therapists, and early childhood educators. It is also of great value to health science students and early intervention professionals looking to integrate the neurobiology of attachment and safety into their daily practice.
What this book offers
- A theoretical-practical framework to understand how the infant nervous system processes safety and danger
- Neurobiology-based clinical tools to intervene in situations of early trauma and stress
- Real-life cases that illustrate the application of polyvagal theory in medical, educational, and therapeutic settings
- Guidelines for professionals to help children regain the capacity for social connection and trust
- A guide to identifying signs of unconscious activation of the defense system in children and families
Technical Specifications
- Author: George S. Thompson
- Publisher: Editorial Eleftheria SL
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: Psychology, Psychological Methodology, Psychological Tests and Measurements, Psychotherapy
- Collection: Psychotherapy Protocols
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: August 2024
- Number of pages: 264
- Weight: 350 g
Editorial Review
This work represents a relevant contribution for professionals working with children from a neurobiological perspective. Its main strength lies in building a clear bridge between polyvagal theory and clinical practice, offering concrete tools to address early trauma. The combination of scientific rigor with accessible writing and well-narrated clinical cases makes it a valuable resource for mental health specialists, educators, and pediatricians alike. It is recommended reading for those seeking to deeply understand how relational safety shapes child development and how to intervene effectively.