Research Based

What research is saying about brain development in young children ages 0-3

Children come into this world as learners and scientists ready to learn about their world.
When children are born they typically have all the neurons in their brain that they will have; what they don’t have is the set amount of synapses. The synapses are what allows the neurons to communicate with each other.
During the age range of 0-3, children have twice as many synapses as they will have in their adulthood.
Synapses are formed at a faster rate typically during the ages from 0-3 than at any other time.
The more stimulation the brain receives the more synapses the brain creates during these early years, which in turn creates their foundation for future learning.
The more the synapses are used the stronger they will become. The synapses that are not used become weak and are likely to be eliminated in a process called “pruning.”
Because the brain has such an excess of synapses in the first 3 years- the brain is extremely sensitive to any stimulation or experiences.

What do we know about brain development within each year?

Year 1

Year 2

Dramatic changes began to occur in language areas.
The brain begins to develop the ability to perform more complex tasks, and higher order cognitive abilities such as self-awareness, emotional, and intentions.

Year 3

Synapses development reaches its peak.
Synapses continue to strengthen based on their experiences.
Their brains continue to strengthen their cognitive abilities and understanding of cause and effect.

What will Fundamentals do to help with brain development in these early years?

Create and establish positive, healthy, and loving relationships so that each little learner may thrive and grow.
Provide low ratios so that each child may have individualized experiences and language on a daily basis.
Follow patterns of brain development to ensure each learning environment is set up to be a learning and stimulating place for each child.
Provide a language rich environment in all programs- ex. include helping children to hear vocabulary, distinguish between sounds, and partaking in conversations.
Encourage child directed experiences through play, and hands-on activities in order to create an environment for optimal learning.
See website section on Reggio Emilia Approach, Conscious Discipline, and Portfolios/Documentation to see what are environment will be like.

Links we Love:

www.zerotothree.org
www.urbanchildinstitute.org

Information From: Early Childhood and Brain Development Training attended in 2010, and the above websites.