Brain Development in Early Childhood
The concept of brain development in early childhood has become popular in the field of Child and Adolescence. In recent years, studies have shown how critical the earlier years of life are in terms of brain development in which the child is growing and changing each week. From the time of birth to the age of five, the child’s brain is constantly going through enormous changes developing skills (forming synapses that contribute) in all three domains of physical, socio-emotional, cognitive development. Pursuing this further, although the genes may provide the basic blue print for the brain, researchers have found that experiences also shape the process that determines whether a child’s brain will provide a weak or strong foundation for all future learning. Thus, it is important to understand how this all occurs and how experiences during early childhood have a particularly large role for better or for worse in the shaping of brain development.
Research was done in the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University which is a website that specifically aims to promote awareness to parents, educators, scholars to understand the importance of how early childhood is important. The Major support for the Center on the developing child website is currently being provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Alliance for Early Success, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Harvard University.
An individual can access this website by following the next steps. The first thing is to open their web browser then type the words The center on the developing child at Harvard university then scroll down and clic...
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On the other, extensive scientific research has shown that hand neglect and other forms of child maltreatment can also affect early brain development. Children with negative experiences typically have higher levels of the stress hormones of cortisol.
Since parents are the most important role in providing what children need these three websites can be used as resources to support parents in their care giving practivces. We must start by educating the parent about the importance of early brain development and how the brain works. They must be aware of what they can do as caregivers to help their child with their first milestones of the developing brain.
That neglect and other forms of child maltreatment can also affect early brain development. Children with negative experiences typically have higher levels of the stress hormones of cortisol.
Elliott, A. (2004). Where to Now for Early Childhood Education and Care? Early Childhood Education Research Program (ACER), 12(2).
There are three types of adverse childhood experiences; abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), neglect (physical and emotional), and household dysfunction (incarceration, mental illness, parental violence, divorce, and substance abuse) (Felitti et al., 1998 and Anda et al., 2006). The majority of brain development occurs during the first few years of life. Although genetics provide the basic blueprint for the brain, one’s experiences lay the foundation for future interactions, health, learning, and
“Although experience may affect human brain structure and function throughout the entire life span, evidence.suggests that early experience may be particularly critical” (Rao et al., 2010). During the childhood years, adequate nurturing by parents has a large impact on optimal biological and psychological development. This includes neurological, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. Rao et al. (2010) broadly define nurture as including “warmth, affection, and acceptance” (p. 1145).
Davis, E. P., & Sandman, C. A. (2010). The timing of prenatal exposure to maternal cortisol and psychosocial stress is associated with human infant cognitive development. Child Development, 81(1), 131-148.
It has been proven that a child’s early years are the peak at which the mind can bend and shape, creating the foundation for a life. We know now that even before birth, the mind is a delicate matter that if improperly taken care of could alter a person’s entire life. Nourishment and stimulation before and after the birth of a child mold’s the brain in its most malleable state. Medical and scientific institutes paired with parenting information organizations have made information readily available for parents, childcare providers, and students to advise them of the importance of childhood brain development. This information is not only critical for the child, but for the person they will become in the future.
There are links between neglect and abuse and later psychological, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal disorders. The basis for this linkage is the impact that abuse and neglect have on brain development. Researchers have found important links between interpersonal experiences and neurobiological development. Children who have been sexually abused are at significant risk of developing anxiety disorders (2.0 times the average), major depressive disorders (3.4 times average), alcohol abuse (2.5 times average), drug abuse (3.8 times average), and anti-social behavior (4.3 times average)(Crouch).
When selecting childcare for your child the foundation of early learning has offered some tips that they believe will be helpful in the process. The foundation says that parents have always known that good early experience was important for their child. Now scientist and researchers are confirming how critical these first years of life are to your child’s healthy development (Selecting child care, 2002). Because the brain matures in the world rather than in the womb, the brain growth and development of infants and young children is deeply affected by their earliest experiences. In a childcare environment the relationship your child has with the caregiver will also affect how that child feels about himself and the world around him and as he grows up (Selecting child care, 2002). I ...
Sexual abuse negatively affects a young child’s neurological development. It causes toxic stress, a type of stress which children are unable to manage by themselves. 7 According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, exposure to toxic stress during early childhood can impair and disrupt development of brain circuits, which “can cause an individual to develop a low threshold for stress, thereby becoming overly reactive to adverse experiences throughout life.”8 High levels of stress hormones can also affect the child’s immune system and cause “cog...
The first two years of a humans life are bursting with biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development. In the first few weeks after conception to two years after birth a child’s brain experiences more growth than any other organ in the body. During the first two years of a child’s life the brain is very plastic and malleable. In order for children to continue down a path of success and learning there are certain experiences a child must have in order to develop normally. The First Two years of a child life is responsible for the foundation that is layed.
Children experience decreased development in the left brain when traumatic events occur (Network, n.d.). Imagine being a child and growing up with these types of events occurring. A traumatic event in a child’s life can cause a child to experience a long lasting negative effect. Life events are happening everywhere and more often in the lives of children (Understanding Child Traumatic Stress, n.d.). Trauma can cause them to do three things. First, they try to see what the danger is and how serious it is. Secondly there are strong emotional and physical reactions. Thirdly they attempt to come up with what to do that can help them with the danger. Traumatic events can cause a child to develop differently, which effects the young child stage,
Who we are is directly related to our environment that we are nurtured around. Our development is essential to who we are as adults and will be the very fabric connected to how, what and why we act and think the way we do. I’ve decided to talk about early childhood development, which plays the most crucial part in the foundation of who we will be. At this stage we are sponges soaking up this new world we are now apart of. I will discuss physical development, cognitive development and psychosocial development pertains to early childhood development.
Now there are development standards defined and expectations of a child as a whole. The development standards define the milestones a child should pass by a certain age. These milestones are basically “what children should know and be able to do”. (Shala 7). Because of this early childhood development’s main goal is to thoroughly progress a child’s potential in their social, motor, and cognitive development. (“Early” 1). While development itself is made up of changes in the amount of difficulty attempting certain activities and acquiring skills, gradual movement from basic to complex adjustments in learning, and gaining new ways to move one's body. (Damovska et al 13). For this reason it has become dire for programs to exist that are aimed at younger groups of children so that their mental and social development may continue on track. (“Early” 1). While their level of behavioral unde...
... exposed to abusive environments show delays or restrictions in their physical growth as well as in their mental development (Smith, 1975).
McDevitt, T., & Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Child development and education (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.