Brain Development in Young Children
Do you remember the first time your child rolled over, clapped their hands, or said their first sentence? Learning is taking place from the time a baby is born. An infant watches as well as feels the world around them. When it comes to early learning it helps to know how the brain works … our environment & the interactions between child and adult play a large part in who we are, & is influenced by what we do.
- NNCC Brain Development Karen DeBord, Ph.D. Extension State Specialist, Child Development North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
- PPP: Child Growth & Development Brain Development Authors: Jandy Jeppson with Judith A. Myers-Walls and Dee Love
During Josie’s first year of life I was pretty diligent in regards to starting and keeping up with her baby book. When you open up her book you’ll find pictures of Josie as a newborn, all of her statistics from the birth; And further into the book, dates have been noted as to when she began teething, babbling, turning her head towards sounds, her first words … you get the picture … as Josie masters a skill for the first time her brain is making connections - these connections are forming who she is & who she will become. For me, thinking about the impact I have on my children’s development is overwhelming and extraordinary. With the appropriate stimulation (keeping in mind that infants & toddlers learn through various types of play) young children will flourish. As parents & caregivers we need to take an active roll in cultivating a rich & positive environment in which our children can explore. No mind is ever too young or too old to be stimulated with knowledge!