Key learning takes place in a child's first six years. This learning sets the stage for success in school and in life. The environment in which a child is growing up plays a significant role in development of a child's brain for life.

We could say that it is all about the brain – the development of which determines how we live. Brain development is a flexible lifelong process that starts very early.

Did you know that before baby is even born…

• Its brain starts to develop very early – in the first 3-4 weeks of pregnancy.
• By 5 months, the brain of the unborn child has about 100 billion cells.

During this stage the genetic make-up of parents plays a major role, but events in the world, such as maternal diet or maternal stress can affect the developing brain.

Did you know that after birth…

• A young child's brain develops through stimulation of his/her senses, e.g. seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting - mother breastfeeding her baby or father reading to a toddler on his lap are both providing essential experiences for brain development. This causes creation of connections or wiring between brain cells.
• Connections in the brain depend on the frequency of stimulation. Repetition causes the connections to be strengthened and to become permanent. This is the way a child starts to make sense of his or her world.
• Negative experiences in the early years are likely to have negative lifelong impact.

The experiences we have early in life influence how our brains become “wired” and this can last through our entire lives. An environment that is supportive, caring and rich in stimulation promotes healthy overall development. An environment that is chaotic, abusive or lacking in stimulation can be harmful to early development.

What do children need?

Responsive care means looking after the physical, cognitive, social and emotional (spiritual) needs of a child and includes:

• Proper nutrition
• Basic medical care
• Universal precautions and clean water
• Love and protection
• Guidance, stimulation and teaching
• Emotional support
• Early access to developmental screening, assessment and intervention.

The enemies

• Alcohol and other toxins especially during pregnancy. These can dramatically impair the formation and wiring of brain cells.
• Stressful events – children who experience extreme or frequent stress during the early years tend to have more health, learning and behavioural problems throughout their lives.
• Neglect and abuse will put infants at-risk and can have long lasting developmental effects. Children need to receive warm, responsive care from nurturing adults to develop secure attachment. Research shows that this profoundly influences emotional and cognitive development.

What can we all do?

Understand and use what the research shows – brain “wiring” happens more vigorously throughout the first six years than at any other time during our lives. This develops through stimulation of the senses. It may sound complicated but the answer is fairly simple - Nurture, Stimulate and Love.

This means:
Time: Pay attention to your child.
Fun: Play with your child.
Love: Hug your child.
Healthy: Eat and prepare nutritious meals for you and your child.
Explore: Share what you know, tell and read stories together, learn new things
Talk: talk to introduce words as well as opening the doors to new ideas
Listen: listen and hear your child
Protect: be a safe, caring, friendly shelter for your child 24 hours a day

Source:
The Early Years, Investing in our Future;
Mary Gordon: The Early Years: Precious Years