Early Childhood Brain Development

From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops more than at any other time in their life. The things that a child experiences during these first few years will shape how their brain develops. This includes positive experiences, negative experiences, and everything in between. Early brain development has a lasting impact on each and every child’s ability to learn and succeed. 

Brain Development

A newborn baby has all of the cells they will need for their lifetime, growing to 90% of adult size by age five. The connections between the cells are the vehicles for brain function, allowing the child to move, think, communicate, and everything else a human may do. Early childhood is the most vital phase of life for these connections. Did you know that at least one million new neural connections are made every second during these years? That is more than at any other time in our lives. 

With that being said, a child’s early years are prime time for their brain to develop the connections they need to be healthy, successful adults in the future. Many higher-level abilities such as motivation and problem-solving are formed in these early years, and it is much harder for them to be learned later on in life.

Positive Interactions

Brain connections are built through everyday experiences and positive interactions with others. Daily interactions will determine which brain connections develop, and which will last for a lifetime. The amount and quality of care and interaction that a child receives makes a huge difference.

Children who experience more positive interactions in their early years tend to grow to be healthier and more successful. Lack of access to quality early learning experiences can have a negative impact on their early brain development and their long-term success. 

Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children

The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children helps children thrive, arriving to kindergarten with a strong foundation. Our mission is to make meaningful and measurable investments in young children to enable them to achieve their fullest potential. They will be ready to learn, grow, and succeed as future leaders of our community. If you would like to get involved, visit our website!