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 For Intellectual (Cognitive) Developement


"Tip 103: April 2017 - How Children Learn "
   April, 2017

Neuroscientists have shown that throughout the entire process of development beginning even before birth that the brain is affected by environmental conditions, including the kind of nourishment, care surroundings, and stimulation a child receives. The child’s capacity to learn and thrive in a variety of settings depends on the interplay between nature (their genetic endowment) and nurture (the kind of care, stimulation, and teaching they receive). All children are born with genes, but it is the experiences they have during the first three years of life that will determine what will happen with those genes. The impact of the environment is dramatic and specific, not merely influencing the general direction of development, but actually affecting how the intricate circuitry of the human brain is “wired.” Each time a baby tries to touch a tantalizing object or gazes intently at a face or listens to a lullaby, tiny bursts of electricity shoot through the brain knitting neurons into circuits.

Infants: Squeeze Toys – Collect a number of small items that infants can hold in their hands such as small balls, soft blocks, or stuffed animals that allows them to squeeze, pull or push. This will help to develop their muscle coordination.

Toddlers: Wave Bottles – Give toddlers a variety of clear plastic bottles which they can shake. Help them to fill these bottles with food coloring, glitter, and mineral oil. Hot glue the tops to the bottles so the toddlers can’t open them.

Preschoolers: Map Making - This activity can help preschoolers experience the thrill of discovery. Children should start by making a map of their classroom. This can be done with a large piece of paper on the floor. They can work together with their classmates where each can take a corner of the room. Then the class can explore the area around the school and make a map of where their school is. This activity can be expanded to their room at home with their parents help. For those children who are interested they can make a map of their house and their neighborhood. These kinds of activities will help young children build confidence in their ability to make their way through their community.

Early childhood is the prime age for learning. All children start life as physical explorers, taking in information through their senses. Each child is born with 100 to 150 billion neurons. These neurons must be stimulated to create pathways for learning to take place. Starting around age 10 and going into the 20’s those neurons not stimulated are deleted, and all new learning has to use the pathways which have already been established.

Educators agree that children learn best and remember more when they take an active role in their own learning, and just like most adults, they learn and remember what can be applied to their own lives. Parents and teachers can help children become active learners. Use hands-on activities at school and at home to help children learn and succeed in life.

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness.
Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.







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