Dr Mine Conkbayir is an award-winning author, trainer and researcher passionate about bridging the knowledge gap between neuroscience and the EY sector. A key contributor to the Birth to Five Matters non-statutory guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage and designer of the first-ever neuroscience-informed qualifications for the EY sector, her latest award-winning book, Early Childhood and Neuroscience: Theory, Research and Implications for Practice, is now in its second edition.

• 1. Introduction 2. Who this Guide is designed for 3. Structure of the Guide 4. Meet the Characters 5. Overview of the story, Maya's ACE Adventures! 6. Stress - Is It All Bad? 7. ACEs - An Overview 8. ACEs - Proceed with Caution! 9. Children Can Overcome Their ACEs - How Protective Factors Can Help 10. The Brilliant Brain 11. The "Upstairs" and "Downstairs" Brain 12. Self-regulation - What is it and Why is it Important? 13. The Invaluable Role of Co-regulation in Helping Children to Self-Regulate 14. Discussion Prompts and Questions to Encourage the Child to Express their Thoughts and Feelings and to Help Build Understanding of Safety - Some Useful Tips 15. What to do if a Child Makes an in-the-moment Disclosure 16. Summary and Final Thoughts 17. Useful Resources

‘This book is for any adult seeking some kind of template for communicating with a child who, through no fault of their own, is having to cope with a number of obstacles… Problems can be overcome Mine’s book tells us: with kindness, listening and talisman-like Keepers that remind us to be kind, talk to each other and to have empathy.’Sir Lenny Henry, CBE‘A much-needed resource to support parents, caregivers and other adults around a child experiencing adversity. Often, adults have a fear of speaking to a child about their experiences, not knowing what to say or how to be or whether they might make the situation worse. The storybook and its Guide scaffold and hold the adult safely, helping a child to reflect on their own thoughts and feelings whilst in the safety of story. Exploring the emotions and feelings of Maya, with a trusted adult will undoubtedly help the child to make sense of their own experiences. What is shareable is bearable!’Julie Harmieson, Trauma-Informed Schools UK (TISUK) Director of Education and National Strategy