Babies are born with approximately 100 billion neurons in the brain. However, the majority are not yet connected. As the child grows and learns, the brain begins to make essential connections. The rational part of the brain, the prefrontal cortex which adults use to think, is not fully developed until age 25. The brain is most receptive to learning during the first five years of life. Preschool brain development has a major impact on child development. By the age of 3, the brain is about 80 percent of an adult size brain. By age 5, the brain is 90 percent or nearly full grown.
Early Brain Development
A baby is born with all of the brain cells that they will have for the rest of their lives. However, it is the connection between these cells that enable us to think, communicate, move, and perform other essential tasks. The building of massive neuron connections is most prevalent during the first few years of life. During this time, children are able to adapt to their environment and strengthen their ability to learn through regular stimulation and communication in their home and in outside educational settings.
Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. For example, the cerebrum, which accounts for 80 percent of the brain, is used to interpret sensations such as hearing, vision, smell, and touch. It also controls our emotions and feelings. The cerebellum, which accounts for 11 percent of the brain, controls learning, balance, and “automate” movements, such as the ability to type quickly on a keyboard. The brain stem, which runs from the spinal cord to right under the cerebrum, is essential for maintaining life. It controls breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, digestion, and the reticular activating system (RAS).
A child’s daily experiences early in life help determine which brain connections develop. One of the most important influences is a child’s relationship with the adults in her or her life. By creating loving relationships with responsive adults, children are able to develop healthy development in a stable, safe, and nurturing environment. These relationships start at home with parents and siblings. Different parenting styles can also affect child brain development. Once a child reaches school age, healthy outside relationships can develop with teachers, childcare providers, and other members of the community.
Nurturing Child Preschool Brain Development
It is important for parents to encourage stimulating activities that enhance mental and physical development early in life. Preschool brain development primarily focuses on hands-on learning and direct interactions. Young children are able to develop concrete skills through regular practice of abstract thinking, memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. Simple board games that help develop problem solving skills, age-appropriate puzzles that provide fun challenges, and categorization activities help grow essential skills like memory and concentration. At preschool age, children can also learn through make-believe and imaginative play which grows their creative thinking skills.
It is important to remember that preschool children are sensory learners who enjoy smelling, tasting, and touching in an attempt to explore their surroundings. Help your child learn and grow by letting them feel new textures, sing songs, and look at pictures. Encourage motor development through physical activities, such as dressing and undressing on their own, kicking a ball, or using a pencil to draw basic shapes. Remember that every child grows and develop skills at their own pace. It is completely normal for a child to be behind in one area, such as language, while being ahead in another area, such as motor development.
Attending Christ Lutheran Church Preschool
Preschool provides young children with a head start to learning and development. Although kindergarten is typically seen as the real “first” grade, more and more parents are starting to realize the importance of preschool for brain development. Attending a Christian play-based preschool can help children form strong values based on the principles found in the Bible. Play-based learning incorporates various forms of sensory learning, and may include activities relating to nature, arts, and music. Educators in these settings often encourage play-based learning through imaginative, stimulating games and exploration. Christian classrooms are strategically structured with the unique needs of preschool children in mind.
A child is more likely to excel if they are in a loving and nurturing environment that is fun and accepting of differences. At the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool, there is a strong emphasis on social development which helps young children learn love and consideration for others. The curriculum also recognizes learning in many areas with activities such as group sharing, arts and crafts, outdoor play, fine and gross motor development, stories and puppets, family activities, and bible-based weekly chapel. For more information about preschool brain development or how to enroll your child in a Christian play-based preschool, contact the Christ Lutheran Church Preschool today.