BRAIN FACT: Experiences Provided In Early Life Directly Impacts Emotional Development and Learning Skills

Children need every adult in their life to understand the importance of early experiences. Research demonstrates that the way a child is interacted with, and the experiences provided in their early life directly impacts emotional development, learning skills, and how an individual will function later in life. 

BRAIN FACT: Children Need To Have Hands On Activities For Optimal Brain Development

Children need to have hands on activities with real objects for optimal brain development and real learning.  The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child reports:

“Although a varied array of experiences clearly stimulates learning in the preschool years, promotional statements about the superior brain building impacts of expensive “educational” toys and videos for infants and toddlers have no scientific support.”

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Develops Skills As a Result Of Experiences During Childhood

The brain provides us with the opportunity to to feel emotions, to respond to and communicate with others, to monitor our environment for safety, to think, to play, to learn, and to remember. However, the ability for the brain to do all of this does not just  magically happen. A brain develops these skills as a result of experiences during childhood.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Of A Two Year Old Has More Synaptic Connections Than An Adult Brain

The brain of a two year old has more synaptic connections than an adult brain. With the purpose to adapt, a child's brain eliminates connections that are made from experiences that are not repeated frequently in their life. The brain retains connections from experiences that have been repeated often.

A valuable resource to help understand the developing brain is available from Zero to Three. Go to the baby brain map here. 

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Needs Time And Play Outdoors

The brain needs time and play outdoors. Physical activity and nature provides numerous benefits to the brain and contributes to overall health and optimal learning.

I hope you take the time to watch and share this valuable clip that discusses ALL the valuable aspects nature provides for the brain!


You can easily contribute to developing young brains.... Naturally Developing Young Brains Activity Packets will be available soon. The proceeds got toward nature pre-school efforts and getting urban children into nature settings. Introductory prices are available now!

BRAIN FACT: Child Abuse Can Affect Children Throughout Life

Increasing amounts of research is demonstrating that childhood abuse can affect children throughout life. Due to the effect experiences play on the developing brain, studies reveal that the effects of maltreatment early in life lead to being more vulnerable to mental illness and behavior problems.

Dr. Bruce Perry offers information on the impact of relationships on the developing brain and how to help maltreated children here.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Is Dependent On Having Visual Experiences

The brain is dependent on having visual experiences. A baby must have visual stimulation to create connections from the eyes to the visual areas of the brain.

This clip shows an example of the interest of an infant as a result of a visual experience.