Formative Years
Aspects of Early Childhood Development
Chapter 1.10
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Ayaan is 3 years old and his parents are undergoing a financial crisis for quite some time now. It is hard not to fall apart or lose hope in case of financial blows.
Let’s Reflect
The following two ways his parents can endure these times:
Case 1: Are freaked out, resulting in constant conflicts (verbally or otherwise). In the process of managing losses, they are not giving attention to their child.
They keep stating the fact that bringing up a child is expensive and other laments of theirs. This leaves a deep sense of insecurity in the child’s rapidly developing brain which in turn has adverse effects on his development.
Case 2: Whilst trying hard to make the ends meet, they keep displaying togetherness and love for each other as a family. Constantly remind Ayaan, that they are always there to take care of him. They find ways to keep Ayaan engaged in learning, try coming up with fun activities, with resources available at home
Don’t we all reflect upon our childhood times? Here is why…
These early experiences – their relationships and the things they see, hear, touch, smell, and taste – stimulates their brain, creating millions of connections. In the first five years of life, a child’s brain develops faster than any other time in their life.
Experiences during early childhood form the foundation for the way a child will live as an adult. Learning, behaviour, and health, across the lifespan are all built on this very foundation.
Recent advances in the research of early childhood development and the biology behind it sensitises about some key aspects of the early childhood development:
1. Parental/Pre-natal Stress comes in the way of parenting…
Absence of a supportive relationship and prolonged stress, can adversely affect the foundation of brain architecture leaving a lifelong impact on the child’s emotional and physical health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities.
Going by Ayaan’s example (case 1), if his parents don’t focus on his development due to their crisis and continue to neglect him, his potential to gain skills that aid in multitasking, controlling impulses, filter distractions and achieving goals might get bleak.
2. Genes and environment share a bi-directional relationship i.e. both influence each other:
Contrary to the belief that genetic traits cannot be modified, research shows that early experiences determine the extent of manifestation of genes and possibly alter family inheritance. Hence, while genes do have the potential to influence character traits in an individual, the upbringing environment is the determinant of when and by what extent are expressed.
Some children need more support to develop these skills and if provided with the ideal environment, they can develop and thrive.
For instance, considering Case 2, Despite being underpinned by hardships, Ayaan’s parents provided a supportive and loving environment, and made use of available resources for continued learning.
3. Having an endearing responsive relationship with folks other than parents does not interfere with the relationship the child has with their parent.
A responsive caregiver is sensitive to the needs of the child, understands his perspective & reactions, and responds appropriately to fulfil them.
In fact, having multiple caregivers can enhance the young child’s social and emotional development. A nurturing and safe environment where the child interacts and is consistently encouraged to explore their world helps to build their brain. Hence, in the absence of parents during the formative years, it is indispensable to have someone to spend quality time with the child via talking, singing, reading, and playing.
4. 90% of brain development occurs before Kindergarten but it does not stop there…
A new-born’s brain is about one fourth the size of that of an average adult brain. This doubles in size by the infant’s first birthday and grows to about 80% of adult size by age 3 and almost reaches 90% by the age of five.
Having said this, certain higher order functions like ability to:
- Retain and manipulate information,
- Alter responses as per the current demand of situation and
- Prioritize actions, and control impulsive responses
continues to develop through late childhood and adolescence. As per research it only stops in the late 20s.
However, the rate of growth of these neural connections gets significantly reduced. Moreover, the unused or lesser used neural pathways keep getting dissolved to strengthen the heavy used channels.
5. Research shows that neglecting a child during early years, can severely impact his/her development, and is as bad as physical abuse…
Neglect is when caregivers are unable to meet a child’s needs including adequate supervision, health care, nutrition, or housing, as well as other physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs.
This can create problems like academic difficulties, attention problems and issues with language. It can also result in social impairments like difficulty in making friends, expressing emotions, emotional regulation or maintaining relationships.
In essence, neglect is a form of abuse.
The impact of neglect is probably everlasting and irreversible (just like the effects of physical abuse) and needs to be given due attention.
6. Young children who have been exposed to adversity or violence do not always develop stress-related disorders or grow up to be violent adults.
For instance, as in case 2, Ayaan will grow up to be a happy and healthy individual, as his parents pay attention to his emotional needs and spend one on one time with him.
The right environment is provided when responsive parents are accepting and available for their children. This makes the child feel secure and reduces the chances of psychological problems.
7. Simply moving the child away from a dangerous environment does not lower the negative impacts of that experience
Usually this is the first step, but it does not end there. Such an environment leaves deep emotional scars on the child and to restore their sense of safety, control, and predictability they need to be given therapeutic and supportive care, where parents are responsive, accepting, and available for their child. This instils a sense of security which catapults the path to recovery.
8. Social support can improve resilience in children
It is a proven scientific fact that a child’s ability to cope with adversity and still manage to thrive depends on the interaction between supportive relationships, genetic factors, and physiological systems. A protective environment forms healthy coping skills against negative experiences. This ability to cope with adversity is known as resilience.
It is a seesaw where a good supportive relationship can counterbalance the effects of negative situations on a child. This highlights how important relationships are for their sound mental health.
Parents are always striving to give their best. Probably they are already practising the above-mentioned guidelines unknowingly.
Being aware and mindful in their giving can make a huge difference towards the upbringing of your child.
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