Increase Understanding of Early Brain Development
Return to ZOOM MAP--Enhance Early Brain Development in Infants & Toddlers Top Level Strategy Map
Brief Description
A child's early years are very important for developmental health in the future. The brain grows at an accelerated rate before birth until early childhood[1]. The first 8 years of life builds a foundation for health and future learning possibilities, and the positive and negative experiences of a child’s early years can have long lasting effects[2].
Contents
Background
Increasing the understanding of early brain development is an important aspect for societal and community-based positive change. Early intervention is more efficient to produce a more favorable result in the future, and these interventions can be provided through a range of resources that benefit healthy brain development [3].
Tools and Resources
To support early brain development, proper nutrition is required during pregnancy, decreased exposure to infections and increased monitoring of a child’s interaction with the environment [4]. In addition, parents should take turns playing and talking with their children, and make an effort to build on their interests and skills [5]. Through understanding a child’s needs and responding to their cues protects the child’s brain from unnecessary stress [6].
The Basics
- The Basics is an organization that supports children's brain development from birth to age 3 through advocating for cognitive, emotional and social skill development [7]. The Basics’s principles cover 5 key broad domains of childhood growth: maximize love and manage stress, talk, sing and point, count, group and compare, exploring through movement and play, read and discuss stories [8].
- Has several resources for community leaders, medical staff, educators and parents
Brain Matters Documentary
- Watching documentaries is a great way to increase understanding of early childhood development.
- The documentary shows interviews that have been held with scientists, educators and families and explores the critical period of early childhood [9].
- Link to documentary here
Promising Practices and Case Studies
Examples from communities that have implemented tools focused on this objective
Scorecard Building
Actions to Take
Actions for Coalitions
Actions for Individuals
Sources
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- ↑ https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-science-of-ecd/#:~:text=Brains%20are%20built%20over%20time%2C%20from%20the%20bottom%20up
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
- ↑ https://thebasics.org/#a
- ↑ https://thebasics.org/#a
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw_aVnlp0JY
