What is the best age for brain development?
What is the best age for brain development?
Who knew a child named Albert Einstein with delayed language development and worrying parents would make such a huge contribution to the field of Science? One may ask, how a child who was struggling in his childhood with basic learning abilities can well become, Einstein.
The history, however, answers this query and untangles the confusion wrapped around Einstein and his potential development from being a problematic child to a genius. When Einstein fell sick, and used to be in bed all day. His father gave him a compass which served as a magical device that sparked his curiosity in the field of science.
Soon after his father, Einstein mother, who was a passionate musician gave him a violin at the age of five. These two things, the academics suggests that assisted him develop interest in science and helped develop his brain in unique ways at the right age and time.
Psychologists say that children’s brain has the potential to develop in squirts called critical phases. The first phase occurs at the age 2 whereas, the second one occurs at during adolescence. This is because in the early age, the number of connections or brain synapses between the brain cells doubles. The children between the ages 2 to 7 go through various spurts of learning which leave a great impact and lasting effects on their brain development.
The first important phase for brain development starts around the age 2 and concludes around age 7. It provides a vital opportunity to establish the base for a rounded education for the children.
Psychologists suggest the best three ways to help maximize the effect of this critical period are boosting the love of learning, focusing of expanded learning rather than deep learning, and paying attention to emotional intelligence.
Encourage a love of learning
Young children should enjoy the process of learning rather than focusing on the grades and performance. The parents and teachers at this stage should emphasize on the joys of trying new activities and learning something unique. Most importantly, teachers should never label young children or make statements about their ability. Children will enjoy learning if teachers show enthusiasm over the process of learning rather than giving results and give fixating conclusions.
Focus on breadth, not depth
One way to avoid converging on results during this phase of growth is to stress the extensiveness of expertise over gravity. Exposing children to a widespread range of activities establishes the foundation for evolving skills in a range of fields. At this stage, teachers should engage children in music, reading, sports, math, art, science, and languages.
Don’t ignore emotional intelligence
It is good to teach the children fundamentals of math but the teachers should also not ignore the emotional intelligence. Students develop their logical and mathematical skills in the first critical period of brain development but if teachers and parents also help them develop and extend interpersonal skills, instill empathy, kindness and teamwork.