34 Part One Children in Today’s World
adults should never insist that
a baby or toddler play with
a certain toy or listen to a
certain story.
Children need time to practice
and master skills. Repetition of
experiences develops the brain.
Even with a small quantity of
playthings, children can learn
and develop.
Because of plasticity, brain
development can be easily injured
by abuse, neglect, and other
negative experiences. Stress has a
harmful effect on brain function.
When a person fears or senses
a threat, the body prepares for
“fi ght or fl ight.” The resulting
chemical change in the brain has
been described as an acid bath
washing over the wiring. This acid
prunes away the synapses needed
for caring for and understanding
others. Furthermore, because stress
signals occur in the brain cortex
(the part of the brain in which you
do most of your thinking), a child
cannot learn well while distressed.
If stress is constant, these unused
connections will also be pruned.
Plasticity lessens with age.
Even the brain of a three-year-old
is far less changeable than it was at
birth. Ten-year-olds have very little
plasticity, and adults have even less.
This short period of brain plasticity
tells us the following:
The infant and toddler years
are times of great brain activity
and learning.
Children who have
developmental delays, live
in unsafe environments, or
lack stimulating experiences
need early professional help to
overcome these obstacles.
A good early environment
provides the best foundation for
all areas of development. It also
promotes resilience (the ability
to recover from or adjust easily
to change).
Cutting-edge science on brain
development confi rms what
many parents and caregivers
have known for years, 1-7.
The earliest years are the most
important for all areas of growth
and development (physical,
intellectual, and social-emotional).
Prenatal care, loving relations
between young children and
adults, and quality experiences
play a lasting role in brain
development. Learning about
brain development can help adults
shape children’s potential in
positive ways.
1-7
Parents can offer play experiences,
such as blockbuilding, at the
appropriate times to help their
children master these skills.