The importance of brain development in the first 5 years of life
The first five years of life are essential to children's brain development. This is when human brains are develping more rapidly than during any other time. By engaging infant, toddler, and preschool brains, we shape the foundation for future learning.
Humans have hundreds of billions of neurons in the brain, and they that start forming connections before we are even born. During the first 5 years of life, the brain is making 700 neuron connections each second. Child-adult communication is essential to helping these connections form properly. Even babies who can't talk yet are building connections in the brain that will lead to language development.
Incorporate brain building activities for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers into daily activites. It takes no special training or extra time. Parents already have what it takes to interact with kids during little bits of time during the day. Learning begins at home. Follow these simple steps to connect with your child.
1.Eye Contact
Making eye contact is key to forming connections. Prolonged eye contant releases the hormone oxytocin, increasing the bond between parent and child. For small children, kneel or bend to communicate eye-to-eye with the child. Through eye contact, parents are sending all sorts of non-verbal cues. They are saying "I love you, and I am listening."
2. Communicating
Tell your child about the things you see, hear, feel, and do together. Explain what’s happening around you, discribing the 5 senses. Give a running commentary while you make a meal or fold laundry. Sing songs, and tell stories to infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. These verbal communicatoins are building baby's vocabulary, showing emotions, modling actions, and teaching problem-solving.
3. Responding
Respond to your child's sounds and actions, even before they are old enough to talk. When they do start talking, ask follow up questions like “What do you think...?” or “Why did you like that?” When you respond to baby's needs, she learns that she can communicate with those around her.
4. Imitating
With sounds, words, faces and actions, go back and forth to create a conversation or a game. Infants and toddlers are figuring out how to mimic voices and facial expressions. Stick your touge out and see if baby will do the same.
Leave a comment. What are some brain builders you do with your kids?
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