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Writer's pictureKayelene Kerr

Thrive By Five: The critical importance of brain development in the first 5 years.

Updated: Dec 15, 2023

This article was written by Kayelene Kerr from eSafeKids.



To raise global public awareness about the critical importance of brain development in the first five years of a child’s life and the impact this has now, and in their future the Minderoo Foundation partnered with TED to deliver one of the world’s youngest ever TED speakers.


Underpinned by the latest child development research and delivered as a TED talk, the short film seeks to empower and motivate parents, caregivers and members of the community to engage more meaningfully and often with children.


The talk highlights the tangible benefits of positive, reciprocal ‘serve and return’ interactions and the impact this has on a child’s lifelong learning, health and well-being. It also incorporates key messaging about the importance of play, the prenatal period and child mental health.


Watch 7-year-old Molly’s extraordinary talk on how to help your child thrive by five.


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About The Author

Kayelene Kerr is recognised as one of Western Australia’s most experienced specialist providers of Protective Behaviours, Body Safety, Cyber Safety, Digital Wellness and Pornography education workshops. Kayelene is passionate about the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation, drawing on over 27 years’ experience of study and law enforcement, investigating sexual crimes, including technology facilitated crimes. Kayelene delivers engaging and sought after prevention education workshops to educate, equip and empower children and young people, and to help support parents, carers, educators and other professionals. Kayelene believes protecting children from harm is a shared responsibility and everyone can play a role in the care, safety and protection of children. Kayelene aims to inspire the trusted adults in children’s lives to tackle sometimes challenging topics.


About eSafeKids

eSafeKids strives to reduce and prevent harm through proactive prevention education, supporting and inspiring parents, carers, educators and other professionals to talk with children, young people and vulnerable adults about protective behaviours, body safety, cyber safety, digital wellness and pornography. eSafeKids is based in Perth, Western Australia.


eSafeKids provides books and resources to teach children about social and emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, gender equality, consent, body safety, protective behaviours, cyber safety, digital wellness, media literacy, puberty and pornography.


eSafeKids books can support educators teaching protective behaviours and child abuse prevention education that aligns with the Western Australian Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and National Quality Framework: National Quality Standards (NQS).


Cyber Safety Perth


Educate, equip and empower children with knowledge through stories!

Reading with children provides an opportunity to teach vital life skills in a child friendly, fun, age and stage appropriate way. Reading books that are meaningful can have a lasting impact. Selecting books with teachable moments and content can assist you to discuss a wide range of topics, particularly those that are sometimes tricky and sensitive.

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