Why focus on birth-3?
Numerous researchers have found that children’s experiences during infancy and toddlerhood have a major influence on their future success. The first 3 years of life is a key time to build the foundation for future learning, confidence, and moral development.
The research on the importance of ages 0-3 has become so abundant, that in 2013 President Barack Obama recognized the importance of the first 3 years by increasing access to quality early education. Millions of dollars were released to increase the quality of early childhood centers and teaching staff across the nation. The President understood that the first 3 years of life was the optimal time for growth and development.
What's happening during birth-3?
Children grow at the fastest rate from birth to 3. During the first year of life, children develop new skills and abilities every month. From 2 to 3-years-old, children can development new abilities and reach major milestone every 3 months.
Brain Development
Children are born with about 100 billion neurons, or cells that communicate information throughout the body. From when a child is born until age 3, the brain can experience over 1 million neural connections per second. These neural connections allow for basic brain functioning and lay the foundation for future development. By age three, a child can have over 1000 trillion neural connections. The more neural connections the child has, the more likely the child will succeed in all developmental areas, including physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language.
Year One
At birth, infants can recognize their parents’ voices and learn their mother’s smell quickly. By 6 months, infants may be able to sit up with no assistance, and may start making attempts to crawl. By their 1st birthday, children can typically say 1-3 words and point to wanted items. They may gain the ability to walk without assistance and explore their surroundings to learn concepts, such as cause and effect, and strengthen problem-solving skills.
Year Two
By 18 months, children are able to say about 20 words. They can walk without assistance and learn how to jump and walk up stairs with assistance. They begin playing beside other children and may engage in simple social exchanges like smiling or giving hugs when a friend cries. At this age, children are likely to start having uncontrollable emotions that are triggered by frustration. By age 2, children are learning new words daily. They can say between 50-60 words and speak in two-word sentences. Children at this age are learning how to regulate their emotions and use language to label emotions, feelings, and wants. 2-year-olds can engage in back-and-forth social exchanges with peers and adults. Also, at this age children are more likely to begin potty training.
Year Three
By 3 years, children are able to say about 200 words or more and speak in three or four-word sentences. They can hold a pencil between their thumb and pointer finger and make distinct marks. Some 3-year-olds may be able to write their own names. At this age, children create friendships and engage in social play, taking turns and having conversations. Children are typically potty-trained by this age. At 3-years old, children still rely on interactions from adults to learn new concepts and develop in all areas.
What can parents do to promote development?
Infants and toddlers are experiencing everything for the first time, and their experience become a part of their foundation. When children are raised in an optimal environment (an environment that is stimulating, intentional, and supportive), they are more likely to make neural connections and develop physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language skills. As a parent, you have the power to shape your child’s environment by doing the following.
You can provide stimulating interactions by getting on your child’s level, asking opened-ended questions (even if your child can’t respond), labeling objects and people, imitating emotions, and engaging in back-and-forth conversation (or babbling).
Encourage your child to interact with other children by providing peer play-time opportunities. You can do this my enrolling your child into a full-time or part-time early learning center, attending mommy-and-me classes, or scheduling play dates with friends.
A stimulating environment can be provided in the home, as well as in public. You should provide your child with age appropriate toys, materials, and experiences. Experiences can include exposure to diverse textures, visuals, tastes, and sounds.
Children learn best when they feel safe and supported. As the parent, you can support your child’s efforts by allowing room for mistakes and encouraging your child to attempt difficult (yet achievable) tasks. You should respond to your child’s cues (such as crying, pointing, or asking questions).
Easier said than done, right? Patience makes a major difference during the 0-3 years. When you are patient with your child, you provide a supportive environment that allows your child to navigate their new world with more confidence and less stress. You can be mentally and emotionally prepared to patiently guide the development of your young child when you understand and accept that your child is learning everything for the first time.
Parents Make the Greatest Impact
As a parent, you have the largest influence on your child’s development and overall success. Your child relies primarily on you during the first three years of life, and will naturally create an attachment style that influences his or her ability to develop trust in others and confidence in self. How you choose to parent during the first three years will have a lasting impact.
