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This foundational session offers a look at how young brains develop through caregiving relationships and stress. Participants will explore bottom-up brain development, the autonomic nervous system, and how early experiences shape patterns of regulation, connection, and protection. Drawing from relational neuroscience and Robyn Gobbel’s owl, watchdog, and possum framework, this webinar introduces shared language for understanding behavior as communication from the nervous system. The focus is on building a common foundation that helps professionals move beyond behavior management and toward nervous-system-informed care.

• Describe how early brain development unfolds from the bottom up and how stress and caregiving relationships shape regulation and behavior.
• Explain the role of the autonomic nervous system in young children, including how patterns of connection and protection emerge.
• Apply shared nervous system language, including Robyn Gobbel’s owl, watchdog, and possum framework, to interpret behavior as communication rather than defiance.