Early Years

Brains develop more rapidly in the early years of life than they ever will again. It is important that we create systems, settings and communities that meet young children’s emotional needs, because those experiences of other people are fuelling the specifics of that brain growth.

The emotional lessons children learn during their early years are built into their biology. Do those discoveries teach them that people are trustworthy? Or do they teach them that life is full of lonely uncertainty, so it is best to stay hyper-alert to the people in your world?

The way we treat children has a long-term impact on their development. Everyone caring for or working with children of any age deserves to understand these processes.

Suzanne works often with staff in the early years sector. Her goal is to help them appreciate how significant they are in children’s lives and how essential their emotional attunement is. In today’s society, some children spend up to 10 hours a day in an early years setting.

The people who spend this time with them are having a massive impact on the development of their trust in relationships and in their resilience in coping with stress.

The comment Suzanne received from the leader of a parent-toddler session gives a sense of the power of these insights: “Oh my word. I have just had one of the most exciting afternoons of my life, listening to Dr Suzanne Zeedyk. This feels like a life changing experience.”

Here are examples of work that Suzanne has undertaken with partners in the early years field.

2024 – British Association for Early Childhood Education – Why is it hard for adults to face up to childhood trauma?

2024 – Eight to Relate – Bristol Early Years Teaching Hub

2023 – Bristol Early Years Teaching Hub – Has Covid changed our children?

2023 – Academic Debate – What is it that we still don’t get?

2022 – National Day Nurseries Association – All Things Attachment

2020 – Better Start Bradford – See the World Through Babies’ Eyes

2022 – TTS Resources – World of Education – Little Lockdowners

2021 – Tigers & Teddy Nursery Series – Partings & Reunions

2021 – National Children’s Bureau – Self-Regulation in the Early Years

2020 – Tigers & Teddies Live! – Early Years After Lockdown

2020 – Sabre Tooth Tigers and Teddy Bears – The connected baby guide to attachment, 2nd Edition

2020 – Book Launch – Sabre Tooth Tigers & Teddy Bears, 2nd Edition

2020 – Upstart Scotland – Scottish identity & play

2017 – Scottish Childminding Association – Expansion of Childcare Funding

2011 – VIP Childcare – Innovative practice: Inward-facing buggies

2010 – Early Years Scotland – Pre-birth to three – Brain Development

1994 – Documentary Television – Disconnection and the Still Face Paradigm

2020 – Better Start Bradford

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