Thursday, January 29, 2009

Brain Development in Children


Find the best local babysitters at Sittercity.com

Environmental factors such as nurture, love, stimulation, proper nutrition directly affect the brain development of the child. The brain knows it if is loved or not.

In fact the environment can change gene function and determine how the brain develops. We are not determined by our genes as much as we are by the environment that forms us. Social and emotional factors like nurturing and love can alter genetic expression.

That's why early stimulation is crucial for brain development in children.

The brain is like a sponge absorbing input from the world around it.

Animals in the wild have much greater brain volumes than animals raised in captivity. Why? Animals in the wild are exposed to greater stimulation.

Similarly, children exposed to opportunities for stimulation in early life make more synaptic connections in the brain.

Stimulation enables the synapses to make connections. And the greater the opportunity for these connections to be made, the greater the cognitive and social intelligence of the child.

Social interaction is critical to brain development in children.

As parents and grandparents we have the responsibility to help nurture and develop our children and grandchildren.

We have the responsibility to leave them a Legacy of Light!



No comments: