Children's brains are influenced by both their genes and their environment. Babies are born ready to learn, with more than one million neural connections forming every second during the first few years of life. The early years are important, as how the brain grows is strongly influenced by what's happening in a child's environment and their interactions with the people around them. Vision and hearing pathways develop first, followed by early language skills and higher cognitive functions. A child's vocabulary often quadruples between ages two and four. These connections become more complex over time as children grow, and influence brain development to create positive learning behaviours from an early age.
Ages and Stages: As part of social and emotional growth, a child’s moral development begins at birth. Early, caring experiences create trust, laying the foundation for positive relationships in the future. That foundation for ethical behavior with others builds over the first five years, as a child’s sense of justice and understanding of right and wrong behavior grows. Parents and other caregivers are crucial to this process. How can you help your child develop moral “intelligence” from birth? Here are some ideas: Ages 0-1: Infants learn right from wrong through experience. When a baby is hungry, wet, or lonely, it feels bad, uncomfortable, scary and “wrong.” When adults offer care and nurturing, it feels good and “right.” By promptly responding to a baby’s basic needs, including holding, singing, reading, and speaking from the start–along with feeding and changing–parents and caregivers help infants bond and feel safe. Early, secure attachment impacts moral and other learning: B...
Comments
Post a Comment