Children's Minds

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Having caring relationships and access to support services can reduce the harmful effects of negative experiences and help a child’s brain develop in a healthy way (Shonkoff et al, 2015).

Child’s Mind - Association for Psychological Science Inside a Child’s Mind - Association for Psychological Science

When I was in the teaching credential program at San Francisco State, I often thought it was odd and even wrong that I was never asked to read the foundational writers of educational theory and child psychology. Students read about Dewey, and Piaget, and Vygotsky, yet we never read the authors themselves. As I have have forayed into this area of literature since those days, I have discovered one reason why: it's hard to read such work. But surely it's worth the effort. Conversancy with primary sources gives the learner a sense of investment and proprietorship in subject matter.

How do childhood experiences affect brain development?

Stimulate children by using different materials for exploration. Give them plenty of multi-sensory experiences and the opportunity to see images of art works. Eventually children will offer their own thoughts about their experiences. ‘This feels like a cuddle’ (a 3 year old exploring a strip of velvet). As good quality materials help build a strong house, positive experiences during childhood help build healthy brains.

Children’s Minds , by Margaret Donaldson. Published by Children’s Minds , by Margaret Donaldson. Published by

Brain architecture can be built throughout childhood, adolescence and even into adulthood (Shonkoff et al, 2008). Parents and other caregivers can support healthy brain growth by speaking to, playing with, and caring for their child. Children learn best when parents take turns when talking and playing, and build on their child’s skills and interests. Nurturing a child by understanding their needs and responding sensitively helps to protect children’s brains from stress. Speaking with children and exposing them to books, stories, and songs helps strengthen children’s language and communication, which puts them on a path towards learning and succeeding in school. Interact with young children through serve and return, for example by listening and responding to their concerns. This helps build brain architecture and stress management systems (Center on the Developing Child, 2013). Children’s responses can be physical, emotional, social, cultural or a combination. Younger children might respond in verbal and non verbal ways, for example, a toddler swaying to music. Engage in playful serve and return interactions: social play is important to the development of executive function skills (Shonkoff et al, 2011).For more information on all our metaphors and advice for helping healthy child brain development, take our face-to-face training Physical development is supported by moving and handling objects and toys and moving to music. Literacy is encouraged by writing making marks. Musical activities are good for communication skills in speaking, listening and understanding and personal, social and emotional development. Making a house for a superhero Register for our face-to-face training to better understand how to foster healthy brain development in children But if children are exposed to prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences, such as child abuse and neglect, this can cause ‘toxic’ or ‘harmful’ stress, where they start to feel more stressed more often and for longer periods. This can disrupt the building of healthy brain architecture (Shonkoff et al, 2014). The first Sharing the Brain Story metaphor describes how the development of children’s brains is like the development and construction of a house.

Kids Mind Skills Kids Mind Skills

Just as good rallies between tennis players develop their athletic abilities, good rallies between children and adults strengthen children’s developing brain architecture, improve their cognitive skills and develop resilience (Shonkoff et al, 2004; Shonkoff et al, 2015).

CDC is committed to supporting early brain health through evidence-based programs and partnerships within communities. Below are just a few examples of CDC programs that support early brain health: All children have their own creative and imaginative responses. Encourage and notice the children’s responses. Knowledge of the children can help you plan ahead. Suggested activities Have a musical ‘jam’ session Children are born ready to learn, and have many skills to learn over many years. They depend on parents, family members, and other caregivers as their first teachers to develop the right skills to become independent and lead healthy and successful lives. How the brain grows is strongly affected by the child’s experiences with other people and the world. Nurturing care for the mind is critical for brain growth. Children grow and learn best in a safe environment where they are protected from neglect and from extreme or chronic stress with plenty of opportunities to play and explore.