i n ​bri E f ​| ​THE IMPACT OF EARLY ADVERSITY ON CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT ​EN ​BREVE ​| E

​ LIMP
ACTODELAADVERSIDADDURANTE
LAINFANCIASOBREELDESARROLLODELOSNIÑOS
A series of brief neglect can weaken developing brain ​debemos
summaries of the
scientific presentations reconocer los problemas y abordarlos
Una serie de
at the National antes de que
resúmenes breves de ​Symposium on architecture and permanently set the body’s stress
las presentaciones ​Early Childhood
científicas realizadas en ​Science and Policy. response system on high alert. Science also
el Simposio Nacional sobre Ciencia y Política para la Primera Infancia. shows that providing stable, responsive, nurturing
What happens in early childhood can relationships in the
matter for a lifetime. ​To successfully empeoren. Las investigaciones sobre la
manage our society’s future, we must recognize biología del estrés durante ​earliest years of
problems and address them before ​Lo que life can prevent or even reverse the damaging
sucede en la infancia temprana puede effects of early life stress, ​la infancia
importar a lo largo de temprana muestran cómo adversidades
they get worse. in early childhood, research on the
biology of stress shows how major ​la vida.
mayores, como w ​ ith lifelong benefits for
Para manejar exitosamente el futuro de learning, behavior, and health.
nuestra sociedad, la pobreza extrema, el abuso o la
adversity, such as extreme poverty, abuse, or negligencia pueden debilitar la

1​ Early experiences influence the

with adults, he learns to cope with everyday

developing

arquitectura del cerebro en desarrollo y poner al sistema de respuesta

brain. ​From the prenatal period through the returns
challenges and his stress response system
al estrés en permanente alerta. La ciencia muestra también que
first years of life, the brain undergoes its most to baseline. Scientists call this ​positive stress.​
rapid
proporcionar relaciones estables, receptivas, enriquecedoras y
development, and early experiences Tolerable stress ​occurs when more serious
determine whether its architecture is sturdy difficul ties, such as the loss of a loved one, a
or fragile. Dur natural
propicias durante los primeros años de vida puede prevenir o incluso
ing early sensitive periods of development, the disaster, or a frightening injury, are buffered by
revertir los efectos perjudiciales del estrés temprano, con beneficios
brain’s circuitry is most open to the influence of caring adults who help the child adapt,
external experiences, for better or for worse. which mitigates the potentially damaging
During effects of
duraderos para el aprendizaje, el comportamiento y la
salud. t​ hese ​sensitive periods,​ healthy emotional

1​ Las experiencias tempranas influyen en

and cognitive development is shaped by

responsive, dependable interaction with adults, while chronic or extreme adversity
el cerebro en desarrollo. ​Desde el periodo prenatal y durante los primeros años de vida, el
cerebro humano experimenta su la fuerza del cerebro
can interrupt normal brain development. For
crecimiento más rápido y las experiencias
example, children who were placed shortly
tempranas determinan si su arquitectura será ​after Institucionalizados
birth into orphanages with conditions ​robusta o
frágil. Durante los periodos ​of severe neglect show
dramatically de
sensibles del desarrollo temprano, los ​creased brain Nunca
activity compared to children institucionalizados
circuitos del cerebro están más abiertos a la influencia
de las experiencias externas, para
who were never institutionalized.

bien o para mal. Durante estos ​periodos ​ 2​ Chronic

stress can be toxic to develop ​

ing brains.

Learning how to cope with

sensibles,​ el desarrollo emocional y cognitivo saludable
Fuente: C.A. Nelson (2008); Marshall, Fox y BEIP Core Group (2004).
es modelado por la interacción receptiva y confiable
con los adultos, The brain’s activity can be measured in electrical
adversity is an important part of healthy impulses—here, ​La actividad cerebral puede medirse en
mientras que la adversidad crónica o extrema puede impulsos eléctricos. Aquí, los colores ​“hot” colors like red or
interrumpir el desarrollo normal del
orange indicate more activity, and each column ​“cálidos”
child development. When we are threat ​cerebro. Por
como el rojo o el naranja indican una actividad mayor y cada
ejemplo, los niños a los que poco
shows a different kind of brain activity. Young children
ened, our bodies activate a variety of ​después de
institutional ​columna muestra un diferente tipo de actividad
nacer se deja en orfanatos con p ​ hysiological cerebral. Los niños pequeños
responses, including increas ​condiciones de child is protected by supportive relationships
negligencia severa, muestran ​es in heart rate, blood ized in poor conditions show much less than the expected
pressure, and stress activity.
una actividad cerebral dramáticamente ​hormones
such as cortisol. When a young
disminuida, comparados con los niños que nunca
POLiCY iMPLiCATiONS
estuvieron en entornos institucionales.
IMPLICACIONES DE POLÍTICA
institucionalizados en condiciones precarias presentan una
actividad mucho menor que la esperada.

La negligencia extrema disminuye


La versión en castellano del documento se ha realizado con el apoyo del
Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo.
l​
The basic principles of neuroscience indicate that providing entornos en los cuales los niños viven y apren ​directed toward
supportive and positive conditions for early childhood
development is more effective and less costly than
⚫​
attempting to address the ​ Los principios básicos de la
neurociencia indican que proporcionar condiciones positivas de
apoyo para
consequences of early adversity later. Policies and
programs that identify and support children ​el desarrollo de la su desarrollo cognitivo, emocional y social. Una amplia gama de
infancia temprana resulta más efectivo y menos costoso que
atender las consecuen
and families who are most at risk for experiencing toxic
stress as early as possible will reduce or ​cias de la
adversidad temprana más tarde en la vida. Las políticas y
programas que con la mayor pronti
avoid the need for more costly and less effective
remediation and support programs down ​tud identifican y
apoyan a los niños y familias más en riesgo de experimentar
estrés tóxico reducirán o
the road.
evitarán la necesidad de que ellos requieran más delante de
programas de apoyo y recuperación, más l​ ​From pregnancy
through early childhood, all of the environments in which
children live and learn, ​costosos y menos eficaces.
and the quality of their relationships with adults and
caregivers, have a significant impact on their cognitive,
emotional, and social development. A wide range of
policies, including those
⚫​
Desde el embarazo y hasta la primera infancia, todos los
early care and education, child protective services, adult
mental health, family
den, y la calidad de sus relaciones con los adultos y los
cuidadores, tienen un impacto significativo sobre ​economic
supports, and many other areas, can promote the safe,
supportive environments and
políticas, incluyendo aquellas dirigidas ​stable, caring
relationships that children need.
al cuidado y educación temprana, los servicios de protección de la
infancia, la salud mental de los adul tos, el apoyo económico para
las familias y muchas otras áreas, pueden promover los entornos
seguros y de apoyo, y las relaciones estables y afectuosas que
los niños necesitan.
without adult support, stress becomes ​toxic,​ as

2​ El estrés crónico puede ser tóxico para los regresa diariamente a su punto de partida. Los
científicos ​extreme poverty or repeated abuse are
cerebros
experienced ​are unreliable or inappropri
ers in the family or community.
excessive cortisol disrupts developing brain circuits.
en desarrollo. ​Aprender a lidiar con la adversidad
llaman a esto ​estrés positivo​. El ​estrés tolerable s​ e
Young children naturally reach
es una parte importante del desarrollo saludable without adult support, stress becomes ​toxic,​ as
produce cuando se presentan dificultades más
del ​out for interaction through
serias,
niño. Cuando nos sentimos amenazados,
ate—the brain’s architecture
nuestros ​babbling, facial expressions,
cuerpos activan una variedad de respuestas
fisiológicas, ​and gestures, and adults
incluyendo incrementos en el ritmo cardiaco, la
3​ Significant early adversity can lead to

lifelong
presión arterial y las hormonas del estrés tales
como el cortisol. excessive cortisol disrupts developing brain
respond with the same kind of circuits. ​como la pérdida de un ser querido, un
abnormal levels of stress hormones. When strong,
Cuando un niño pequeño está protegido por desastre natural o ​does not form as expected,
relaciones
vocalizing and gesturing back
frequent, or prolonged adverse experiences such 3​ Significant early adversity can lead to lifelong

as ​de apoyo con los adultos, aprende a enfrentar
los ​abnormal levels of stress hormones. When
strong, ​at them. In the absence of such
extreme poverty or repeated abuse are
experienced ​desafíos diarios y su sistema de
respuesta al estrés ​frequent, or prolonged adverse
experiences such as ​responses—or if the
responses
una lesión traumática, y éstas son amortiguadas
por ​problems. ​Toxic stress experienced
early in life
which can lead to disparities in
adultos afectuosos que ayudan a los niños a
adaptarse, ​and common precipitants of toxic
stress—such as ​learning and behavior.
lo que mitiga los efectos potencialmente perjudiciales
de
problems. ​Toxic stress experienced early in
life poverty, abuse or neglect, parental substance verse experiences in early childhood are also more
abuse acumulativo en la salud física y mental y del individuo.
depression, heart disease, and diabetes.

3​ The
likely to have health problems, including alcoholism,
En la medida en que existan más experiencias

brain’s capacity for

adversas ​ 4​ Early intervention can prevent the

los niveles anormales de hormonas del estrés. Cuando

se consequences
and common precipitants of toxic stress—such as
or mental illness, and exposure to violence—can
depression, heart disease, and diabetes.
presentan experiencias adversas fuertes, frecuentes durante la infancia, habrá una mayor probabilidad
o ​poverty, abuse or neglect, parental substance
abuse have a cumulative toll on an individual’s
physical ​change decreases with
de ​4​ Early intervention can prevent the

or mental illness, and exposure to
violence—can ​age. ​The brain is most flex
have a cumulative toll on an individual’s
physical ​ible, or “plastic,” early in life
to accommodate a wide range
prolongadas como la pobreza extrema o el abuso
reiterado y el niño las enfrenta sin el apoyo de los
adultos, el estrés se vuelve tóxico porque el exceso
de cortisol perturba los circuitos del cerebro en
desarrollo.
consequences
retrasos en el desarrollo y de otros problemas. Los
of early adversity. ​Research shows that later
adultos que cuando niños experimentaron más adversi
interventions are likely to be less successful—and
dad son también los que tienen mayores
probabilidades
of early adversity. ​Research shows that later in
some cases are ineffective. For example, when ​de
experimentar problemas de salud, como alcoholismo,

3​ Una adversidad temprana significativa puede

interventions are likely to be less successful—and
the same children who experienced extreme ne
depresión, enfermedades cardíacas y diabetes. ​in
conducir a problemas a lo largo de la vida. ​El estrés
and mental health. The more adverse experiences in some cases are ineffective. For example, when
tóxico experimentado temprano en la vida y los precipi
childhood, the greater the likelihood of developmen
tantes comunes del estrés tóxico —como la pobreza, el
and mental health. The more adverse experiences
4​
La intervención temprana puede prevenir

las
in tal delays and other problems. Adults with more
glect were placed in responsive foster care
ad ​abuso o la negligencia, la exposición a la the same children who experienced extreme ne
violencia, el ​childhood, the greater the likelihood of families before age two, their iQs
developmen verse experiences in early childhood increased
are also more ​abuso de sustancias por parte de los glect were placed in responsive foster care
consecuencias de la adversidad temprana. ​La
padres o enferme ​tal delays and other problems. more substantially and their brain activity
Adults with more ad likely to have health problems, and families before age two, their iQs
including alcoholism, increased
dades mentales de ellos— pueden producir un daño investigación demuestra que las intervenciones tardías
Brains subjected to toxic stress have underdeveloped neural connections in areas of the
Una adversidad significativa perjudica
attachment relationships were more likely
to more substantially and their brain
activity and
of environments and interac
brain most important for successful learning and

behavior in school and the workplace. ​tienen

menos probabilidades de éxito y, en algunos

el desarrollo en los primeros tres

 años health, social skills, and
tions, but as the maturing brain cognitive-linguistic capacities that
becomes more specialized to assume Experiencias adversas

more com plex functions, it is less capable
of reorganizing and adapting to new or
unexpected challenges. For example, by
the first year, the parts of the brain that
Niños con
retrasos en el
differentiate sound are becoming
specialized to ​desarrollo
the language the baby has been exposed
to; at the same time, the brain is already
starting to lose the ability to recognize
different sounds found in other
languages. Although the “windows” for
language learning and other skills
remain open, these brain
Número de factores de riesgo
circuits become increasingly difficult to alter
over
Fuente: Barth et al. (2008)
time. Early plasticity means it’s easier
become normal than if they were placed
after ​casos, son ineficaces. Por ejemplo,
un grupo de niños
attachment relationships were
more likely to the age of two.
While there is no “magic age”
sites for success in school and later in the
workplace ​que experimentó negligencia
extrema y fue ubicado en
become normal than if they were
placed after for intervention, it is
clear that, in most cases,
and community.
familias sustitutas receptivas antes de los dos
años de ​the age of two. While there is no
“magic age” intervening as early as
possible is significantly ​edad experimentó
mayores incrementos en su

coeficien ​ 5​ Toxic stress

damages developing brain

archi ​
tecture, which can lead

to life-long problems in
for intervention, it is clear
that, in most cases, more
and more effective to influence a effective than waiting.
baby’s developing brain architecture te intelectual y su actividad cerebral y sus
than to rewire parts of its circuitry in relaciones de ​intervening as early as
the adult years. possible is significantly ​apego se volvieron
Los factores de riesgo de enfermedades cardiacas
más normales que sus compañeros

en los adultos ​ 4​ Cognitive, emotional,

5​ Stable, caring relationships are

and social capacities are essential

están implantados en las experiencias infantiles more effective than waiting.

adversas
que fueron ubicados en este mismo tipo de
inextricably intertwined throughout hogares ​learning, behavior, and
the life course. ​The brain is a highly physical and mental health.
interrelated organ, and its multiple
functions operate in a richly coordinated
Odds
5​ Stable, caring relationships are

fashion. Emotional well-being and social essential

compe
Ratio después de los dos años. Aunque no hay
tence provide a strong foundation for una “edad ​for healthy development.
emerging cognitive abilities, and together
Children de
they are the bricks and mortar that
comprise the foundation of human Scientists now know that chronic,
development. The emotional and physical
 unrelenting stress ​mágica” para la
intervención, es claro, en la mayoría de ​velop activation of the body’s stress
in an environment of relationships that ​for
healthy development. ​Children de
los casos, que intervenir lo más pronto posible que los bebés que tienen relaciones seguras
es
in early childhood, caused by
extreme poverty, ​begin in the home
and include extended fam ​mucho más
efectivo que esperar.
velop in an environment of relationships that
repeated abuse, or severe maternal
depression, ​ 5​ Las relaciones estables
y afectuosas son esenciales
ily members, early care and
education provid begin in the home
and include extended fam
for example, can be toxic to the developing
brain.
ers, and members of the
community. Studies ily members,
early care and education provid
While positive stress (moderate,
short-lived physi ​show that toddlers who
have secure, trusting
para el desarrollo saludable. ​Los niños se
desarro ​ers, and members of the
community. Studies ​ological responses
to uncomfortable experiences)
relationships with parents or non-parent
care
llan en un entorno de relaciones que
comienza en el ​show that toddlers who
have secure, trusting ​hogar e incluye a los
miembros de la familia extendida,
is an important and necessary aspect of
healthy
givers experience minimal stress
hormone relationships with
parents or non-parent care
los proveedores de cuidado y educación, y
los miembros ​development, toxic stress is
the strong, unrelieved
activation when frightened by a
strange event, givers experience
minimal stress hormone
de la comunidad. Los estudios en la materia
demuestran ​and those who have insecure
relationships
management sys ​activation when
frightened by a strange event,
y confiables ​experience a significant
activation of the
tem. In the absence of the buffering
protection of ​con los padres o con los
cuidadores no parentales
and those who have insecure relationships
stress response system. numerous
scientific ​adult support, toxic stress
becomes built into the ​experimentan una
mínima activación de la hormona del
experience a significant activation of the
studies support these conclusions:
providing ​estrés cuando se sienten
atemorizados por algún ​body by
processes that shape the architecture
of
stress response system. numerous
scientific supportive, responsive
relationships as early
acontecimiento extraño, y que aquellos
que tienen ​the developing brain.
studies support these conclusions:
providing in life as possible can
prevent or reverse the
relaciones inseguras experimentan una
activación
________________________________
___________ ​supportive, responsive
relationships as early ​significativa del
sistema de respuesta al estrés. Numero
damaging effects of toxic stress.
For more information, see “The
Science of Early
___________________________
___________
in life as possible can prevent or reverse the
sos estudios científicos apoyan estas
conclusiones: ​Childhood Development”
and the Working Paper
damaging effects of toxic stress.
proporcionar relaciones receptivas y de
apoyo lo antes ​For more information, see
“The Science of Early
 ________________________________
______
posible en la vida puede prevenir o revertir los
efectos
series from the National Scientific
Council on the ​Childhood Development”
and the Working Paper ​nocivos del estrés
tóxico.
For more information, see “The
Science of Early ​Developing Child.
series from the national Scientific
Council on the Childhood
Development” and the Working Paper
www.developingchild.harvard.edu/library/
Developing Child.
Para mayor información, véanse “La Ciencia del
Desarrollo Infan ​series from the national Scientific
Council on the ​til Temprano” y la serie de
Documentos de Trabajo del Consejo
www.developingchild.harvard.edu/library/
Developing Child.
Científico Nacional de Desarrollo Infantil.

As the number of adverse early childhood

www.developingchild.harvard.edu/library/
experiences mounts, so ​emerge in the early
years are all important prerequi
Fuente: Dong et al. (2004)
u/library/
www.developingchild.harvard.ed
does the risk of developmental delays (top). Similarly, adult
reports As the number of adverse early childhood experiences
mounts, so
of cumulative, adverse experiences in early childhood correlate to
a does the risk of developmental delays (top). Similarly, adult
reports
range of lifelong problems in physical and mental health—in this
case, of cumulative, adverse experiences in early childhood
correlate to a
heart disease (bottom). INBRIEF SERIES:
TAMBIÉN EN ESTA
SERIE: THE
range of lifelong problems in physical and mental health—in this case,
NGA ​Center for  
heart disease (bottom).
Best ​PrACtiCes  
NGA ​Center for  
Best ​PrACtiCes  
N​a​tio N ​a​l ​C ​oN fere N C e ​NGA ​Center for  
of ​S​t​a​t e ​l​egi S l ​a​ture S
Best ​PrACtiCes  
N​a​tio N ​a​l ​C ​oN fere N C e ​of ​S​t​a​t e ​le​ gi S l ​a​ture S
N​a​tio N ​a​l ​C ​o​N fe​r​e N​ ​ C e ​of ​S​t​a​t e ​le​ gi S l ​a​ture S
EN ​BREVE​: La ciencia del desarrollo infantil temprano
IN​BRIEF​: ​The Science of Early Childhood Development ​EN
BREVE​: La función ejecutiva: habilidades para la vida y el
aprendizaje
IN​BRIEF​: ​The Impact of Early Adversity on Children’s
Development ​THE iNbriEf SEriES:
EN ​BREVE​: La ciencia de la negligencia
in​BRIEF​: ​Early Childhood Program Effectiveness
in​briEf​: ​The Science of Early Childhood Development
EN ​BREVE​: La eficacia de los programas para la infancia temprana
in​BRIEF​: ​The Foundations of Lifelong Health
THE iNbriEf SEriES:
in​briEf​: ​The impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development
EN ​BREVE​: Los cimientos de la salud a lo largo de la vida ​in​briEf​:
The Science of Early Childhood Development
IN​briEf​: ​Early Childhood Program Effectiveness
EN ​BREVE​: La salud mental en la infancia temprana
in​briEf​: ​The impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development
IN​briEf​: ​The Foundations of Lifelong Health
IN​briEf​: ​Early Childhood Program Effectiveness
IN​briEf​: ​The Foundations of Lifelong Health

www.developingchild.harvard.edu
www.developingchild.harvard.edu
www.developingchild.harvard.edu