More Evidence! Childhood Stimulation is Key to Brain Development

New research was recently shared to give further evidence of the importance of positive stimulation in the preschool years.

A long term study revealed that the age of four is a critical time of enrichment for language and cognitive development. 

This article, Childhood Stimulation Key to Brain Development, reports that,

"Scientists found that the more mental stimulation a child gets around the age of four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in the decades ahead."

I find it extremely important to emphasize what this research designated as the important 'stimulation' that contributed positively to healthy brain development. The article shared the following perspective:

Andrea Danese, a clinical lecturer in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, said the study suggested that the experience of a nurturing home environment could have an effect on brain development regardless of familial, perhaps genetic, predispositions to better brains. Danese added that this kind of research highlighted the "tremendous role" that parents and carers had to play in enabling children to develop their cognitive, social, and emotional skills by providing safe, predictable, stimulating, and responsive personal interactions with children.

Read More on this important research here


This valuable research supports the reason for the Brain Insights 4 year old brain packet! 

Following is a fun activity example adults and children can do together while, folding laundry, making dinner, riding in the car, waiting for an appointment, etc.

Sentence Completion

Make sentences for me to finish using opposite words. 

Make up sentences about things around us. For example: Say, "Grass is soft, but sidewalks are ____."

Another way we can do this: Have me finish the sentence abou the presenta nd then the past. For example: Say, "I am riding my bike and yesterday I ____ my bike."

 

Let's Learn More While I'm Four provides ideas for exactly what these developing brains need in a way that is easy for parents to provide even during busy everyday life! Do you know a four year old?

Isn't it wonderful when we continuously get additional 

information to support the importance of the early years?