Brain Development

Brain development in the first two years is the most important and critical. Maria Montessori referred to this time as of the "absorbent mind" Early brain development is the frame work for the road ahead. When and how the brain develops in the first two years will play a critical role into adulthood. At birth, the brain is the only incomplete organ. The brain will continue to grow through childhood and adolescents.

During the first two years the brain is the most flexible and prepared to learn. At this time everything is new. Everything an infant does build brain connections. According to EDUCARER.org "Touch, talking and things an infant sees and smells all build connections if done with continuity in a loving, consistent, and predictable manner. These connections die if not maintained. If there are no experiences, the connections are pruned back and the brain will remain small.http://www.educarer.com/brain.htm

Environment is a major factor in early brain development. According to EDUCARER.org children raised in environmentally deprived facilities experience fewer sounds, sights, and colors have smaller brains than children in sensually rich environments. While genes and environment interact at every stage of development which is more important?

Genes are responsible for the hardwiring or the blueprint of the brain. While environment is responsible for the finer aspects. For example, everyone when born is hardwired with the potential to learn language. According to zero to three.org our brains are programmed to recognize human speech, to discriminate subtle differences between individual speech sounds, to put words and meaning together, and to pick up the grammatical rules for ordering words in sentences. However, the particular language each child masters, the size of the vocabulary and the exact dialect is dependent upon the environment in which raised. Aside from genes and the environment there are ten things an infant needs in order to help the brain grow to its fullest potential.

#1 Interaction

Infants learn from the time of conception. According to Dr. Brazelton "The key to interaction is in matching the adult's behavior to the needs of the child". All are vital nutrients of the growing and developing brain. Different experiences will cause the brain to develop in different ways due to its plasticity. Plasticity is defined as the capability of change. According to The Developing Person: Through the Life Span, Berger, 5th Edition pg. 4.

#2 Touch

Touch is critical to early brain development. Touch envelopes all of the sensory experiences. Touch is how an infant first knows it's loved. It is a source of security as well as comfort. "Touch literally sends signals to the brain telling it to grow"http://www.educarer.com/brain.htm

There has been much research done on the affects of infant massage. Massage causes faster growth, calmer babies, and faster development.

#3 Stable Relationship

A loving consistent relationship can offset even the most stressful situations for infants. Without it growth can be stunted mentally and physically.

#4 Safe, Healthy environment

It is important for infants and toddlers to have a balanced well rounded diet." A high fat diet facilitates the absorption of lead according to http://www.educarer.com/brain.htm. Lead is a potentially harmful substance for the brain and overall development of the infant.

#5 Self Esteem

The root of all emotional