A 20 year study led by Martha Farah, from the University of Pennsylvania, has found that mental stimulation around the age of 4, leads to greater brain development, including development of the cortex and language comprehension.
Not only did the researchers look at the
books and educational toys a child was exposed to but also the support and care
given by the parents to the child around that age. The data, including home
visits and brain scans, showed a correlation between early years stimulation
and the way the brain could function in the teen years.
This is not just good news for parents but
for health professionals and anyone involved in the care of young children.
This “magical” period, around the age of 4, when a child’s brain is sensitive
to so much around them is a great opportunity to optimise wellbeing and skills
needed for later life. It encourages anyone working with youngsters to look at
what’s around them, what stimulation they’re getting. Not just material things like
books and toys but warmth and support, and those two things can be especially
challenging in a busy hospital or caring environment. It’s what play
specialists and therapists already understand, it’s not just about making today
fun but about building that all important grey matter, layer by layer.
The good news is that the average four year
old is so much more receptive to any kind of adult input than the average teen.
So although your fourteen year old may look at you as if you couldn’t possibly
have anything useful to say (ever) just remember all those bedtime stories you
read, the questions you answered and the stuff you took time to explain. They
won’t thank you for it but somewhere there’s a part of that teenage brain
that’s working just that bit better because of you.
Consider this
...and this
Consider this
...and this
Lynne Wilson
Guest Blogger
