Building Healthy Childhoods

Did you know that 80% of a child’s brain is developed by age 3?

Early childhood is a very important time for brain development. It’s when a child is more capable of learning than any other time in their life. The development of their brain is determined by the connections of their neurons.  Children are born with billions of nerve cells called neurons. Connections of these nerve cells allow for communication with the brain and the body. Interconnections allow for necessary skills like memory, reasoning, self-regulation, and social skills. The number and strength of the connections a brain develops are determined by the child’s environment and experiences. This is the only organ in the body that’s shaped by experiences.  

Brains are essentially built, through each experience and interaction a child has.

That’s why it’s so important for us to provide our young children with positive experiences and plenty of learning opportunities, in a safe loving environment. 

More quality time spent with your child equals healthy, strong brain connections. Negative interactions can cause fewer and weaker connections which can prevent brain development or even alter development that has already occurred. Every time you laugh with your child, play a game, watch a movie, cuddle, read a book, or even say a bedtime prayer, you’re encouraging healthy brain development. Children who aren’t provided healthy childhood experiences, in a safe and loving environment can struggle with healthy attachments and self-esteem, social skills, self-regulation, and can develop learning disabilities.

 Creating memories with your child does more than create pages in a photo album. It creates a foundation that will carry them into adulthood. It will determine how they maneuver through relationships, how they learn and helps build resilience. That’s why it’s so important for us to provide our young children with positive experiences and create healthy environments for them to grow in. 

As I flood my children’s childhood with laughter and special moments, I know I am creating more than just memories. I am literally building their future one hug, one experience, one smile at a time.