New studies on Childrens' Intelligence
Think you’ve got a lot on your mind? Try being a baby! From the moment it is born a baby’s brain sets to work making sense of the world and getting wired for the future. So can early experiences shape a child’s intelligence or is it all down to genetics? And as parents, are there crucial times in this process that require our action? With the help of Ngala Early Parenting Centre, we found out…
For a long time the debate has continued as to whether experiences play a part in a child’s brain capacity. It was known as the debate between nature and nurture. Early thinking believed that it was all the ‘luck of the draw’; that intelligence was purely genetic. New thinking and studies now suggest that the way a brain develops is dependent on both genetics and a child’s early experiences.
"During the early years parents should provide a baby's brain with positive emotional stimulation through love and attention".
From birth a child’s brain begins creating synapses and by the age of thee, children’s brains are twice as active as those of adults. A synapse is a specialised junction between one nerve cell and another or between a nerve cell and a target cell. Synapses are created based on a baby’s experiences and are in effect the creation of adult brain capacity and behaviour patterns.
"Within the first few days of life a baby can recognise a parent's face"
New research shows that there are prime times for developing certain sets of knowledge and skills. So specifically, what should parents be doing and when? We have outlined some of the major areas of brain development, the times to work on them and how to go about it. Literally these synapses are building a young brain.
Emotions
Some of the earliest circuits that a brain develops are those that govern the emotions. For a baby it begins with the recognition of two opposite emotions: distress and calm. At around the age of two-months-old, these begin to separate into more complex feelings. During these formative early years parents should provide a baby’s brain with positive emotional stimulation through love and attention. From birth through to age three, babies develop responses to stress. Under stress, the body releases cortisol (the stress hormone). High levels of cortisol can actually cause brain cells to die and reduce connections in certain areas of the brain. Neglect can cause negative brain wave patterns that may hinder feelings of happiness. Likewise, abuse can result in anxiety and abnormal stress responses.
Vision
Within the first few days of life a baby can recognise a parent’s face. They can discriminate between objects, particularly at short range.
Parents should give children regular eye tests from as early as two weeks of age. Like muscles, the eyes need to be exercised early for good development. Binocular vision develops between ages one and three, and visual sharpness at around age six to seven.
Language
"Believe it or not, there is actually scientific merit in the language of baby talk"
Believe it or not, there is actually scientific merit in the language of ‘baby talk’. As much as it may pain other adults to hear a parent coo and babble, it is very beneficial to a baby’s language development. Apparently, it speeds up the process of learning new words. Babies can recognise their mother’s voice even before birth and the brain sets up the circuitry needed to master a complex language during a child’s first six years. As well as baby talk, reading stories, nursery rhymes and song all can help to maximise a baby’s language potential during the early years.
Movement
Initially a baby’s movements are jerky and uncontrolled. The brain begins to refine the circuits used for a range of life’s movements including reaching, grabbing, sitting, crawling and walking over the first four years. To encourage growth in this area, give babies the freedom to roam within a safe controlled area. Reaching to grab objects also helps develop hand-eye coordination, just keep valuables out of reach! Motor skills in the larger muscles such as neck, arms and legs begins shortly after birth, with finer motor skills developing in the second half of the first year. When your child is ready for them, activities such as drawing and playing musical instruments are activities to encourage. Musical ability can usually be fostered from around the age of five.
Go Back
