What’s going on inside a baby’s brain? As parents or caregivers, we often ponder this question as we look into a baby or young child’s eyes. Simply put, the answer is a lot. A whole lot. Just read this article by Jonathan Lehrer and find out some of the fascinating things scientists are discovering about a baby’s mind.
If you don’t have time to check out the article, though, the take home message is pretty straightforward: a baby’s mind is full of activity. In fact, many of the skills that we will carry with us for the rest of our lives, we learn as young children. Just watch a toddler as they figure out which shapes fit into which holes and you’ll realize that this simple endeavor is teaching a child important problem-solving skills.
Between the ages of 0-5, a baby’s brain is growing rapidly. Important connections are forming as a child explores and discovers the world around them. These connections will form a foundation that a child will build on for the rest of his or her life.
That’s why at ReadyStart we stress the importance of investing in the earliest years of life. Too often, we ignore the needs of children until they have reached school age. We don’t think about the simple things that we can do to help young children build a solid foundation. By doing so, we miss important opportunities to help every child become prepared to enter school ready and excited to learn.
Supporting children in these earliest years doesn’t mean trying to make your baby “smarter.” What it does mean is a few simple things: being nurturing and responsive so your child can learn how to regulate and control his/her emotions, talking and reading to your child so that they learn new words and what those words mean, and letting your child play and explore. It also means ensuring that all young children are protected, have access to quality nutrition, medical care, and early educational experiences outside of the home.
By paying attention to the needs of young children, we won’t get stuck in the catch-up game once they get to school. And that will pay huge dividends into the future.
