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= The Developing Brain in the Early Childhood Years =

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** How Does the Brain Grow? What Happens? **

 Neurons are the functioning core of the brain. A neuron has branches or dendrites emerging from the cell body. These dendrites pick up chemical signals across a synapse and the impulse travels the length of the axon. Each axon branch has a sac containing neurotransmitters at its tip. The electrical impulse causes the release of the neurotransmitters, which, in turn, stimulates or inhibits neighboring dendrites, like an on-off switch. A single cell can connect with as many as 15,000 other cells. Exposure to stimuli shapes the way circuits are made in the brain. A remarkable increase in synapses occurs during the first year of life. The brain develops a functional architecture through the development of these synapses or connections. The first three years of life are a period of incredible growth in all areas of a baby's development. A newborn's brain is about 25 percent of its approximate adult weight. But by age 3, it has grown dramatically by producing billions of cells and hundreds of trillions of connections, or synapses, between these cells. While we know that the development of a young child's brain takes years to complete, we also know there are many things parents and caregivers can do to help children get off to a good start and establish healthy patterns for life-long learning.



Different parts of the brain becoming active at different times. Learning continues throughout life. However, there key times or prime windows of opportunity when the brain is like a sponge, and can absorb new information easier than other times. While this is true especially in the first three years of life, it continues throughout early childhood and adolescence. While learning later is possible, it usually is slower and more difficult. Some improvement in most skills is possible throughout life. However, providing children with the best opportunity for learning and growth during the periods when their minds are most ready to absorb new information is important. The best time for visual and auditory development is from birth to between 4 and 5 years old. During the first few months babies need to see shapes, colors, objects at varying distances and movement for the brain to learn how to see. They also need exposure to a variety of sounds so their brain can learn to process that information and allow for responsiveness by hearing something. The best time for language development and learning to talk is from birth to 10 years of age. Children are learning language during this entire period. However, the first few years are critical. Children need to hear you constantly talk, sing and read to them during these early years. Respond to their babbling and language efforts. Children vary in their language development during these first years; allow for some variation in children's abilities at different ages. The best time for physical and motor development in children is from birth to 12 years of age. Children become physically ready for different levels of motor development at different times. Large motor skills, such as walking, usually come before defined fine motor skills, such as using a crayon. A child needs several years to develop the coordination skills to play catch with a ball easily, and even then refinement of such skills continues into a child's early adolescence. The best time for emotional and social development in children is birth to 12 years of age. Children develop different thoughts related to social and emotional growth, and they begin to determine which attributes are more/less important to them personally. From birth to 18 months children are forming true attachments and it is critical they have quality relationships with parents, family and caregivers. Such development provides the foundations for other aspects of emotional development that occur as children grow. A parent's efforts to nurture and guide a child will assist in laying healthy foundations for social and emotional development. __**Encouraging Positive Brain Growth**__
 * __Key Moments in Brain Development__ **
 * Visual and auditory development **
 * Language development **
 * Physical and motor development **
 * Emotional and social development **

· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Ensure health, safety, and good nutrition ** <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Develop a warm, caring relationship with childr ****<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">en **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Recognize that each child is unique **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Talk, read, and sing to children **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Encourage safe exploration and play **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Establish routines **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Become involved in child care and preschool **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msobidifontsize: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· **<span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Limit television ** <span style="font-family: 'Castellar','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Batang;">

Brain Development Quiz test your knowledge


 * __ FACTS TO REMEMBER __ **
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· The brain is not fully developed at birth  **
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· 90% of the brain develops by age three  **
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Early positive interactions with nurturing adults are vital to healthy brain development  **
 * <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· What children see, hear, touch, smell, and taste affect early brain development  **

__Additional Resources__







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References: Better Brains for Babies. //The Science of Early Brain Development//. Retrieved November 4, 2009, from [] Brainy-Child. //Make Your Child Smarter.// Retrieved November 4, 2009, from [] Brotherson, S. (2005).Understanding Brain Development in Young Children. //NDSU Web//. Retrieved from [] Brown, T. A baby’s Brain development: How Much Can Baby Learn in the First Year?.//Babies Today Web.// Retrieved from [] Foundation and technology Assistance Center. //Brain Development.// Retrieved November 2, 2009, from [] Google Images. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from [|www.google.com] Growing Child. //Brain Development Facts//. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from [] Juicy Juice. //Brain Development Quiz.// Retrieved November 2, 2009, from [] Vaughn, K. Wired for learning: Promoting Infant Brain Developemnt. //Forever Families Web.// Retreived from [] Zero To Three. //Brain Development.// Retrieved November 3, 2009, from http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=key_brainNational childcare