33 Chapter 1 Learning About Children
sensory experiences. By observing
children’s skills, experts have
learned which parts of the brain are
being wired at various ages.
For best results, parents and
people who work with children
should offer specifi c types of
stimulation at certain times.
These times are called windows
of opportunity. A window of
opportunity is a prime period
in a child’s life for developing a
particular skill. In this window,
the child reaches a peak capacity
to learn this skill if given the
opportunity. At this time, a certain
type of stimulation is more critical
than others.
Each area has its own window
of opportunity. Some windows
are large, which means the
favorable time for learning this
skill is several years. Language
development is a good example.
Some windows are small, which
means the most favorable time
for learning is less than a year.
For instance, wiring for vision
is completed in a few months.
Once the window of opportunity
passes, it is more difficult
(sometimes impossible) for the
brain to develop this skill or
acquire this learning.
Often, the windows of
opportunity for various tasks
overlap. This means more than
one learning can happen at the
same time. For instance, the
window for learning to respond
to stress lasts from birth to a little
more than three years. Windows
for basic motor skills open and
close about the same time. This
means a child will likely be
learning those skills at the same
time if given the opportunity.
Why is this information useful?
Knowing when the windows of
opportunity for various skills occur
helps parents and teachers offer
the right kinds of experiences for
a child at the best possible times.
They will know which skills they
should encourage most and which
will likely come at a later time. This
can help children’s brains reach
their full potential.
Brain Plasticity
When working with children,
it’s good to know that a child’s brain
has the ability to change or adapt
to the environment. This ability to
be shaped and reshaped is called
plasticity (technically brain plasticity).
Plasticity can have both positive
and negative effects on brain
development. This depends largely
on the environment. In a favorable
environment, the brain receives
a great deal of stimulation. This
stimulation comes from the child’s
experiences and surroundings.
Stimulation causes the brain to send
signals that strengthen the wiring
for these types of activities.
The following are basic
suggestions for offering a positive
environment for young children:
The best experiences are
interaction with loving adults
engaged in daily tasks and
family-type activities. (Even child
care programs for children under
three years of age should have a
home-like atmosphere.) Babies
and very young children need
not be taught in a formal way.
These children learn by playing,
especially with caring adults.
Children need choices in what
and how to learn. For example,