On Friday, I attended a training through Project BASIC related to the importance of positive strong relationships in the lives of our children. This may seem like common sense to most, but I wanted to share a short video (SCROLL TO END FOR VIDEO) that shows just how vital the social and emotional aspect is in the brain development of a child.
The debate over which factor is more influential on brain development — genes or environment is over. Once we said nature or nurture; then nature and nurture. Now we know it is nature with nurture, the degree of interdependence is even greater than we ever imagined. They are two parts of a whole, interacting constantly and together playing a singular role in a child’s brain development — and a child’s future. Genes provide the blueprint for brain development, but the environment shapes it. The brain develops at its most rapid pace in the first few years of life. In young children, neurons form new connections at the astounding rate of 700 to 1,000 per second. These early synaptic connections form the basis of neuroplasticity, which underlies a child’s physical and mental health, lifelong capacity to learn, adapt to change, and develop psychological resilience. This scientific evidence highlights the importance of caring, good health, nutrition, and stimulation for all young children and especially children facing adversity. Early intervention is the answer… because it becomes progressively harder to fix problems. When a child’s brain fails to get what it expects and needs, especially during the most sensitive and rapid periods of development early in life, the amount of effort required to set it back on track later in life is enormous and optimal outcomes are far less likely. The extent and severity of problems in later life linked with early deprivation can be remediated through early intervention. Early stimulation and interaction with parents and caregivers jumpstart the journey of brain development — and a lifetime of learning. Extensive research on infant and childhood stimulation shows that nurturing, stimulating interaction between young children and their parents and caregivers positively and permanently strengthens the ability to learn — and may change brain function for life. TAKE A LOOK...…. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmVWOe1ky8s#action=share
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