Brain imaging research now documents how children learn and it begins much earlier than you may think. In fact, your child will develop more rapidly before age five than at any other time, with the most rapid development occurring in infancy. The stages of development are building blocks for learning and experiences during infancy and young childhood actually physically shape a child’s brain. |
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When you play with and talk to your baby, and she smiles and coos and grasps your finger, you are delighted. But there’s much more going on. You are seeing serious brain construction at work. Each smile and coo is the physical manifestation of brain cells firing commands to build vital brain connections. By interacting with her, smiling back and talking in a soft voice, you are helping her brain to build pathways for learning.
Each child is unique and babies and young children lead in their own development through their curiosity. As they explore, investigate and experiment, they acquire the fundamental concepts and capabilities that will allow them to absorb and adapt to the environment around them for the rest of their lives. In a very real way, they are learning how to learn. |
As a parent, you can support your child’s early learning by gaining a general knowledge about the stages of development and about the stimulating experiences that enhance your child’s development, by understanding how children learn, and by being involved with your child’s caregivers and teachers. Infants and young children are developing all five senses as they explore their world. Sensory learning continues throughout life, but as children grow, the finer elements of their individual learning style begin to emerge. A child who is very social, for example, might prefer learning through relationships with teachers and other children. A less social child might prefer reading a book. One child might integrate one task at a time, while another child’s learning may be stimulated by multi-tasking. One child might learn best in a quiet environment, while another needs physical activity to maintain his or her focus. Each person has his own unique learning style.
You can nurture your child’s learning by gaining a general understanding of child development and carefully observing how he or she prefers to explore his or her environment at different stages and ages.
How old is your child?
0 – 9 Months | 10 – 18 Months | 19 – 35 Months | 36 Months – 5 Years | 5 - 13 Years
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