Brain development and lifelong learning
A child's early experiences (both positive and negative) can actually affect the structure of the brain! In addition to a child's health and nutrition, every experience--whether it is seeing one's first rainbow, riding a bicycle, reading a book, sharing a joke--"turns on" certain neural circuits and leaves others inactive. Those that are consistently turned on over time will be strengthened, while those that are rarely excited be drop away. Poor nutrition, abuse and neglect can have devastating effects on a
child's brain development. According to Dr. Bruce Perry, a
neurobiologist and authority on braindevelopment and children in crisis,
“The
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child's brain develops so rapidly in their first years, it's
almost impossible for us to imagine. By age five, about 90% of our
brains are developed. Our children's brains are much more open to
learning influences than when we are adults. But they are also more
vulnerable and will be more greatly affected by negative experiences or
a lack of quality early learning opportunities. Every day, every moment, becomes an
opportunity for a child to learn, an opportunity to set a child on the
path of future success in school and in life.