Early experiences make a difference
Children’s earliest experiences have far-reaching and solidifying effects on the development of their brains and behaviours.
Diverse experiences affect the architecture of the brain and set trajectories for learning, health, and behaviour through childhood and into adulthood. For example, Early infancy is a critical period for language acquisition. An infant exposed to two languages before seven months will be able to speak those languages without an accent and more easily master additional languages. Individuals who acquire multiple languages in early childhood have a denser left hemisphere of the brain than those with one language.
The quality of experience or sensing stimulation with adults (particularly parents or other primary caregivers) and other children in the very early years of life has a major effect on neuron function and brain development.
For more information, see Chapter 1 of Early Years Study 2: Putting Science Into Action.
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