Early childhood experiences are fundamentally shaped by systemic forces that dictate the quality of a child's environment, relationships, and physiological development long before they enter a formal classroom. 

Chronic physiological wear-and-tear in early childhood alters the immune and metabolic systems, embedding a permanently lower threshold for stress activation that correlates with adult chronic illnesses. 

Structural forces like poverty, discrimination, and environment literally get "under the skin" to damage a child's organs, tissues, and brain architecture. While systemic forces create the environment, parents hold incredible power to shield their children from allostatic load. 

On a day to day basis, parents can prevent stress from becoming toxic by creating healthy routines, and a predictable loving environment, that acts like a physical and psychological shield against chronic destructive stress.