By Ms Puspa SivanConsultant and Training Specialist

(Early Childhood and Special Education)

All The Flowers OF All The Tomorrows Are In The

Seeds of Today

Educating and caring for young children is

one of the most important and demanding

responsibilities that an individual can

assume.

Two profound changes over the

past several decades have

coincided to produce a

dramatically altered landscape

for early childhood policy,

service delivery and

childrearing

First, an explosion of research in the

neurobiological, behavioural, and social

sciences has led to major advances in

understanding the conditions that influence

whether children get off to a promising or a

worrisome start in life.

Second, dramatic transformations in the

social and economic circumstances under

which families with young children are

living

The first three years of life are a time of

rapid brain development and learning

genetics food and nutrition responsiveness of parents daily experiences, physical activity and

love. giving love and nurturing providing interesting and varied everyday

experiences giving children positive and sensitive

feedback.

At birth, the human brain is still preparing

for full operation

The brain's neurons exist mostly apart from

one another

The brain's task for the first 3 years is to

establish and reinforce connections with

other neurons

These connections are formed when impulses are

sent and received between neurons. Axons send

messages and dendrites receive them. These

connections form synapses

the brain creates more synapses than it needs

the synapses that are used a lot become a permanent part of the brain

the synapses that are not used frequently are eliminated

This is where experience plays an important role in wiring a young child's brain

Because we want children to succeed, we need to provide many positive social and learning opportunities so that the synapses associated with these experiences become permanent

Young Children are not open or available to learning

opportunities unless their emotional needs are met

Longitudinal studies confirm that the

effects of early secure attachment in

children are significant and long lasting.

With the cutting of the umbilical cord, physical attachment to our mother ends and psychological attachment begins. Children come into the world equipped to form relationships.

While the first attachment provides all we need to thrive in our mother’ s womb, psychological research shows that the second attachment constitutes the foundation for human beings to thrive in the world

Attachment is the cornerstone of infant development:

• about relationships, how they are formed, what happens during the first intimate relationship with the nurturing adult, and what consequences are for later development.

• close attachment relationship between responsive caregiver and dependent infant –seen as an adaptation needed for infant’s survival

Caring for infants and toddlers is mostly about building relationships and making the most of everyday routines and experiences.

Implications of Brain Research-Emotional Needs of Children

Early nurturing experiences such as holding, feeding

and comforting impact the way a baby’s brain

develops

feel safe and feel secured

build trust and confidence

Empathy and prosocial behavior

sense of self

ability to interact (ask and express)

ability to make friends (sharing, turn taking)

Ability to negotiate

Physical Development

“Babies do not gain knowledge or insight by sitting back and

contemplating what might happen. Instead, they look, taste,

smell, hear, feel, and act…….Through sensing and acting, infants,

toddlers build intelligence” Schickedanz (1998)

stage of exploration

stage of curiosity

stage of discovery

use of the senses

use of their motor abilities

For a young child’s brain to thrive, the child

needs to be loved, held, talked to, read to

and allowed to explore.

Zone of proximal development

Child’s level of performance

Child’s level of performance with assistance

Scaffolding

Place the child in the context of language

Bring child’s thinking/performance to a higher level

Engage the mind of the child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGmayb

IM-xk

Materials. Without spending great amounts of money,

teachers can organize wonderful collections of resource

materials that might be bought, found, or recycled.

These materials can include paper goods of all kinds;

writing and drawing tools; materials for constructions

and collages, such as buttons, stones, shells, beads, and

seeds; and sculpting materials, such as play dough,

goop, clay, and shaving cream. These materials are used

most productively and imaginatively by children when

they themselves have helped select, organize, sort, and

arrange them.

There is an interplay between nature and nurture

Early care has decisive and long lasting effects on

how children children develop, learn, cope with

stress and regulate their emotions

the human brain has remarkable capacity to change

but timing is crucial

Negative experiences or the absence of appropriate

stimulation are more likely to have serious and

sustained effects

Positive and effective caregiving skills will promote positive

development in children 0-3

Understand the child’s natural routines and moods (hold,

touch, comfort and play when he wants, when he wants to

rest let him rest)

Develop warm loving relationships which show

how much you care, value who he is and make

the child safe and secure

Understand that each child is different and

special

From infancy on, talk, sing and read to the

child. Early language development is the key to

school success. Limit television

Keep to routines and rituals to help the child

know what to expect

All The Flowers OF All The Tomorrows Are In The

Seeds of Today

quarterly

Magazine

mobile apponline portal

ecda.gov.sg/growatbeanstalk