This course will explore the topics of biologic inheritance – the transmission of traits that are genetically passed from one generation to the next and epigenetics – the study of how genes and the environment interact to influence development. Included will be information on topics such as prenatal development and risk factors leading to impaired development, the impact of a child’s experience on development and the impact of toxic stress on development, and “trauma-informed care – how to set up the environment and think about interpersonal interactions that can help reduce negative impacts of toxic stress on the child’s ability to cope within the child care environment.