Nature or Nurture?

From the moment of birth, a baby is ready to learn.

Recent research on brain development indicates that the first three years of life are particularly critical to laying the groundwork for future learning. This research confirms what many parents already know: An infant's brain requires constant stimulation from birth to age 3 to develop properly. Babies need to be talked to, held, touched, sung to, and kept warm and safe for optimal development.

Research in brain development and school readiness suggest the following ten guidelines from I Am Your Child that can help parents and other caregivers raise healthy, happy children and confident, competent learners.

• Be warm, loving, and responsive.
• Respond to the child's cues and clues.
• Talk, read, and sing to your child.
• Establish routines and rituals.
• Encourage safe exploration and play.
• Make TV watching selective.
• Use discipline as an opportunity to teach.
• Recognize that each child is unique.
• Choose quality child care and stay involved.
• Take care of yourself. 

Additional Resources

(Note: You'll find these articles at different websites. Use the "back" button when you're done to return to this page.)

Brain: The World Inside Your head - Facts separate from the myths, and mysteries unfold in this fascinating interactive exhibit of the brain on display at the Smithsonian, Washington DC, or via this informative new web site.

Fertile Minds - Time Magazine's cover story on how a child's brain develops.

The Baby's World - a narrative description how babies respond to their surroundings

Ten Reasons to Read to Babies

Music Beats Computers at Enhancing Early Childhood Development