What does a game of Jenga have to do with brain development?

More than you might think.

When we build a Jenga tower, each block depends on the stability of the blocks beneath it. If foundational blocks are missing, weak, or shaken early on, the tower may still grow taller—but it often becomes less stable and more vulnerable to stress.

The developing brain works much the same way.

Early experiences help build the foundation for regulation, connection, learning, and problem-solving. When children experience chronic stress, trauma, neglect, or disruption during key developmental periods, some of those foundational blocks may not develop as expected.

One of the reasons I’m excited to present an Introduction to the Neurosequential Model (NMT) this week is that it offers a powerful framework for understanding how experiences shape brain development—and why effective intervention starts by strengthening the foundation rather than simply addressing the behaviors we see at the top of the tower.

Just as we wouldn’t expect a wobbly Jenga tower to become stable by adding more blocks to the top, we can’t always solve developmental challenges by focusing only on higher-level skills. Sometimes we need to return to the foundation and help build the blocks that were missed.

I’m looking forward to sharing these concepts with the clinicians at Attachment & Trauma Therapy Associates this week.

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