Child Brain Development: Key Facts for Parents

Child Brain Development: Key Facts for Parents

The development of the baby’s brain begins in the womb. At birth, a baby’s brain has most of the nerve cells (neurons) that it will need throughout its life. As the baby grows, the connections between neurons develop, which makes the brain grow too. By the time a child reaches their teenage years, their brain will be about four times larger than at birth. It will also be much better “wired”, and a special sheath will appear on the nerve pathways, called myelin, which will allow electrical impulses to be transmitted up to 100 times faster.

Science is all about fine-tuning the connections in the brain. The main factor that affects this tuning is experience.

What distinguishes us humans is the fact that our brains take much longer to develop than those of other animals. This allows them to be shaped by our life experiences, including interactions with other people, which is a huge advantage.

The first days of life – key moments

In the first days of life, the child begins to pay attention to his social environment. Toddlers love to look at faces, make eye contact, and listen to their parents’ voices. Therefore, it is not worth being shy about using the “child’s language” – they love it! This type of stimulation is great for building connections in the brain. From the moment a child begins to develop and grow, his brain also undergoes intense changes.

Comfortable sleep is the basis for healthy development, so it is worth investing in a sleeping nest that will provide your toddler with a sense of security and comfort.

Brain development from birth to age 5

From birth to age 5, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other time in life. Early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and in adulthood. The quality of the experiences a child has in the first years of life – both positive and negative – shapes the development of his brain.

90% of brain growth occurs before the start of school education. The average newborn brain is about a quarter the size of an adult’s brain. The amazing thing is that it doubles in size in the first year of life. By the age of 3, it reaches about 80% of the size of the adult brain, and by the age of 5 – 90%.

How brain connections are built

From the moment they are born, babies develop brain connections through everyday experiences. They are formed through positive interactions with parents and caregivers and by using the senses to interact with the world. A young child’s daily experiences determine which connections in the brain develop and last a lifetime. The amount and quality of care, stimulation, and interaction that a child receives in the first years of life is of great importance.

The importance of tender and responsive relationships

A child’s relationship with adults is the most important factor in the development of his brain. Love and care from caregivers are crucial for a child’s healthy development. These relationships start at home, with parents and family, but also include caregivers, teachers, and other members of the community.

From birth, babies send signals to interact with their parents and other caregivers – by babbling, smiling or crying. Each such attempt is an opportunity for the caregiver to respond to the child’s needs. This process, called “give and receive,” is fundamental to the connections in the brain. Parents and caregivers who pay attention, respond and engage in interactions with the child literally build their brain. That is why it is so important to talk, sing, read and play with your baby from the first days of life, giving him a chance to explore the world and providing a safe, stable and warm environment.

Negative experiences in childhood

Children who experience more positive interactions in early childhood are healthier and more successful in school and adulthood. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Poverty, domestic violence, and lack of access to quality early childhood education can negatively affect a child’s brain development and future success.
So let’s make sure that our children have as many positive experiences as possible, which will be the foundation of their healthy development and success in adult life.

Take care of your baby’s development by providing a safe and stimulating environment, for example by using a play mat that supports sensory and motor development.

Emilia Adamczyk