Mine Conkbayir is the author of Early Childhood Theories and Contemporary Issues (Bloomsbury, 2014) and Early Childhood and Neuroscience: Theory, Research and Implications for Practice (Bloomsbury, 2017). She has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 16 years and is currently undertaking a PhD in early childhood education and neuroscience to further her work in this complex and challenging subject of infant brain development. Mine is a lecturer, author and training director for the Membership Body, National Early Years Trainers and Consultants (NEyTCO). She lives in London with her partner, writer and comedian Paul Whitehouse.And a bit from me!
Here's some background detail to explain why I do what I do. I grew up in Hackney (a grim place but many happy memories amidst the continuous chaos). My childhood was hectic and although I had a mother who was unconditional in her love for me, I witnessed things that no child should have to. A childhood blighted by domestic violence, paternal substance use and a generally poor 'blueprint' for how a relationship should be conducted by two adults. The only constant was the erratic behaviour of my ill-suited parents. I didn't realise as a child, but witnessing everything I did, led to my emergent neuroses, anxiety and physical illnesses that became a part of me and still exist today. A young mind and body that were almost constantly in fight or flight - and still trying to find peace. My point? If individuals like my mother have accessible and timely information concerning the impact of their life choices on their children's health and well-being, perhaps they might be able to do a few things differently. Neuroscience provides us with cutting-edge data that when used appropriately, can support parents - and those working with our youngest citizens to consider the whole child: how their earliest experiences and relationships impact at the level of the brain, their consequent behaviour and ultimately, their ability to survive and thrive in life.
