Director’s Spotlight:
When asked to recall our earliest memories, many of us are not able to pinpoint exactly when or where they occurred. However, we can often remember who was there. Go ahead and try it—what is one of the earliest moments you can recall? Approximately how old were you, and where did it take place? Who was there with you?
If the picture your mind painted was blurry, but the actors were clear, this is because we grow up in the context of our relationships with others. This concept is central to early relational health, the notion that safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) in early childhood build the foundation for healthy development across the lifespan. Decades of child development research in scientific fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and public health have established the importance of SSNRs in a child’s life in enabling optimal physical and emotional development.