{"id":6675,"date":"2018-02-26T09:32:06","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T16:32:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uwsfc.org\/?p=6675"},"modified":"2021-12-16T09:53:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T16:53:13","slug":"85-brain-development-happens-5-years-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growingupnm.org\/85-brain-development-happens-5-years-old\/","title":{"rendered":"85% of Brain Development Happens by 5 Years Old"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Brains are built and grow through touch, talk, sight and sound in early childhood experiences. This experiential learning starts long before a child steps foot into kindergarten and is strengthened through regular interaction and stimulation in the home and in quality early learning settings.<\/p>\n

Our home visitors encourage parents to read, sing, talk, and interact with their babies. The First Born Program\u00ae<\/a> has a set curriculum to teach parents the value of multiple positive interactions a day.<\/p>\n

During the first five years, a child\u2019s brain is at its most flexible, making this a critical period for learning and growth. Science tells us that children who face adversity in the first years of life, especially those in low-income households, are more at risk for experiencing damage to their brain architecture, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health. Prevention through high-quality early learning and home visiting provide the support children need to build a foundation for a healthy and productive future. Waiting until kindergarten is too late\u2014children who receive quality early education demonstrate greater cognitive and socio-emotional growth than children who do not.<\/p>\n

Consider the following:<\/p>\n