The Parent Thing

Nervous System Development, Attachment & Early Childhood with Emily Roper

Episode Notes

Understanding Nervous System Development, Attachment & the First Year of Life with Emily Roper

What if some of the behaviors we struggle with most in childhood actually begin long before a child can speak?

In this powerful conversation, Tarryn sits down with Emily Roper to explore how pregnancy, birth, infancy, and early attachment shape a child’s nervous system, emotional regulation, and long-term development.

Emily shares insights from over a decade of working with children experiencing ADHD, autism, anxiety, dyslexia, sensory challenges, and developmental delays, along with her experience supporting more than 600 births and hundreds of postpartum families.

Together, they unpack:

• Why the first year of life matters so deeply for emotional and neurological development
• How pregnancy and birth experiences influence the nervous system
• What secure attachment actually looks like in real life
• The connection between behavior, regulation, and developmental readiness
• Signs a child’s nervous system may need more support
• Whether early patterns can be rewired over time
• Practical ways parents can support regulation in everyday life
• Encouragement for parents who feel like they’ve “missed the window”

This episode is filled with compassionate, practical, and hopeful insights that will help parents better understand the “why” behind behavior and feel more empowered in supporting their children.

About Emily Roper

Emily Roper is a Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapist and certified Midwives Assistant. She is the founder of Early Roots Therapy, a specialized therapy practice supporting children with developmental delays.

With an educational background in psychology, midwifery, and neuro-developmental delay, Emily has spent more than a decade helping children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, dyslexia, sensory challenges, and other developmental challenges. She has attended over 600 births and supported hundreds of families during the postpartum period.

Emily is passionate about bridging the gap between the birth world and psychology, helping parents and professionals understand how early experiences shape long-term neurological and emotional development. She teaches midwives and post-graduate students, speaks at conferences, and hosts The Early Roots Podcast.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

📘 Book referenced in the episode:
Raising Parents: Attachment, Representation and Treatment by Patricia Crittenden

Connect with Emily

🌐 Website:
Early Roots Therapy

📸 Instagram:
@earlyroots on Instagram

📘 Facebook:
Early Roots on Facebook

Connect with Tarryn

If this episode resonated with you and you’d like personalized support on your parenting journey, Tarryn offers a free 30-minute parent coaching session to help you better understand your child’s behavior, emotional needs, and nervous system patterns.

📩 Email Tarryn (tarryn@theparentthing.com) to book your free session.

Featured Resource for Parents

Big Feelings, Brave Goals - A Guided Journal for Kids

Created by Tarryn Bovia, this guided journal helps children build emotional intelligence, gratitude, self-awareness, confidence, and healthy communication through simple daily reflection prompts and affirmations.

🛒 Available on Amazon:
Shop Big Feelings, Brave Goals on Amazon