Early Development in Young Children

There are many things that can enhance early development in young children. As parents it is important that we know what they are in order to increase our children's chances for a successful life.

To begin with, breastfeeding is good for baby's brains and for their health. It will help prevent childhood obesity, help to ensure they have better teeth, improve their jaw alignment, lower their risk of heart disease, juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma and allergies, and help to prevent diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and some childhood cancers. It will also assist in their general well-being. Studies indicate that breastfeeding for a minimum of six months, if possible, can help with a child's emotional function and cognition. Indications are also that the longer a baby is breastfed, the higher their levels of school readiness there will be.

But other things help as well. The younger a baby is read to, the more aware parents are of their young child's emotional cues and their own responses to them, the higher cognitive levels their child will have. Breastfeeding, reading to your baby and being emotionally responsive to your young child will increase bonding between mother and child. However, this bonding can also be as easily achieved between a child and their father if the same things are done. (With the exception of the breastfeeding, of course).>p> Other things that will have a bearing on a child's readiness for school, their cognitive abilities and their IQ will be whether the mother, while pregnant, has been exposed to pollutants, i.e.: lead, mercury, car exhaust or pesticides. The mother's diet while pregnant will make a difference also. Birth order can have a bearing as well. A parent usually has more time to give extra attention to a first born child; to read or play games with them than they do with subsequent children thereby stimulating their cognitive development.

Also those children who had more junk food or processed foods in their diets when they were young will not fare as well. And those who were physically punished creating more stress in their lives will have their cognitive development impacted. Genetic factors passed on to each baby at birth will determine brain size and IQ both negatively and positively. As well, their parents' income and education will make a difference. Also whether a child has been in a day care environment or been raised by a parent or a close family member. Those who have not been in a daycare environment will generally have a better advantage because more one on one time will likely have been spent with them.

As parents it is our responsibility to do the best we can for our children to help set them on the best road for a happy and successful life.