Did you know that 90% of brain growth happens before kindergarten?
At birth, a baby’s brain is around a quarter of a typical adult brain. Incredibly it doubles in size in a baby’s first year of development before reaching 80% of the size of an adult brain by 3 years old, and 90% by 5 - it’s no wonder this is such a critical time for learning and absorbing information.
Within early childhood at least one million new neural connections are made every second, more than at any other time in life.
Different areas of the brain are responsible for different abilities, like movement, language and emotion, and develop at different rates, with connections layering and connecting in order to enable a human to undertake complex emotional and physical interactions - cool huh!
You’ve probably heard us mention this before but the early years are the best opportunity for a child’s brain to develop the connections they need to be healthy, capable, successful adults. The connections needed for many important, higher-level abilities like motivation, self-regulation, problem solving and communication are formed (or not formed) in these early years. It’s much more difficult for some of these essential brain connections to be formed later in life which is why it’s oh so important to expose your children to plenty of quality time, love and care.
https://thekissco.co.nz/collections/allOn top of that a child’s relationships with the grown ups in their life are the most important influences of their brain development. Quality, loving relationships with responsive adults are essential to a child’s healthy development. These relationships begin at home with parents and family, but also include child care providers, teachers and other members of their tribes like grandparents.
Even from birth, a young child’s desire to engage with their parents and caregivers is apparent. Babies do it by cooing, smiling and crying, with toddlers communicating their needs and interests more directly. Each of these little invitations is an opportunity for the caregiver to be responsive to the child’s emotional needs.
https://thekissco.co.nz/collections/all
When you (as parents and caregivers) give attention, respond and interact with your child you are literally building your little one’s brain. Talking, singing, reading and playing with young children from the day they’re born, gives them opportunities to explore their physical and emotional world, and provides a safe, stable and nurturing environment for them to grow into healthy young adults.
That’s why at The Kiss Co we prioritise quality time and connection in the younger years - it really does make a difference! Whether you’re mum, dad, or part of the extended family, your time and attention really does make a difference in nurturing a quickly developing brain.
Prioritise quality time and connection with your little ones with The Kiss Co, even a little quality one on one time at bedtime can make the world of difference!
Enjoy a little quality time with The Kiss Co