by Sara Jackson, CSW
Center for Safe & Healthy Families

Most parent’s are well aware that a baby’s genes play a role in deciding who he or she will grow up to be. However, less known is the crucial role that early childhood experiences play in a child’s development. Child development experts have shown through research that a child’s earliest years can affect him or her for a lifetime. Before we get to how positive experiences affect brain development, let’s briefly discuss the brain’s anatomy.

When a baby is born, she is born with the number of brain cells (neurons) that she will have for her lifetime. These neurons form connections called synapses which basically form the wiring of the brain. If connections are not used, they are discarded so other connections can become stronger. This is called pruning. Only those connections that are activated are retained. For example, if a child frequently hears sounds of speech, activity in the language-related brain regions is stimulated and the synapses in this area will grow stronger. That is why the first three years of life are so important in terms of brain development—the more a synapse is used, the more it is strengthened, but if it is not used, it will be pruned.

A child’s early experiences influence how her brain processes information. Positive early experiences have a large effect on children’s chances for success, achievement and happiness. Conversely, children are especially vulnerable to continuous negative influences during their first years of life. Research released in 2009 demonstrates a connection between a family life of chronic stress and brain impairments in young children.

According to First Steps, a South Carolina program that gets children ready for school, “Warm responsive parents, who cuddle and talk to their children and provide challenging learning experiences, promote healthy brain development for their children.” Researchers have also found that children who have been resilient despite many adversities have had at least one stable, supportive relationship with an adult in their early life.

Things that parents do, even if they seem little, may have lasting positive effects. First Steps gives some tips for parents to promote healthy brain development in their children:

• Be warm, loving and responsive
• Respond to your child’s cues
• Talk, read and sing to your child
• Establish routines and rituals
• Encourage safe exploration and play
• Recognize that each child is unique
• Choose quality child care and stay involved

When following some of the tips provided for promoting healthy brain development in your child, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is important and will help you interact with your child in a way that that is positive, stress-free and promotes the growth of his or her brain.

For more information see First Steps website.

Sara graduated with her Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University, and is a Certified Social Worker. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She moved to Salt Lake City and has been enjoying getting to know the Southwest. In her free time, she loves hiking, biking, running, taking her dogs to the park, speaking Spanish, learning about other cultures, cooking, and creating self-serve frozen yogurt creations.