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Want to Boost Your Child’s Cognitive Development? Here’s How
By Movieguide® Contributor
A new report shares tips for how parents can aid in their children’s cognitive development.
“Early childhood is a crucial period for cognitive development, characterized by rapid brain growth and the formation of neural connections at an astounding rate,” Study International explained. “During this time, the foundation for learning, behaviour, and health is established.”
The outlet wrote that a child’s brain “doubles in size” in its first year and is “more receptive to environmental influences” at this time.
READ MORE: TRANSFORMATION BY GOD’S GRACE
The group added, “Active parental involvement in a child’s education enhances cognitive outcomes…children whose parents were actively involved in their education had higher academic achievement and better cognitive skills. This involvement can include activities such as reading together, helping with homework, and participating in school events.”
Scholastic Parents echoed the importance of parents and children reading together, explaining, “Reading together is a simple yet powerful way to nurture a child’s brain development and lays a foundation for lifelong learning and success.”
“Research from Reach Out and Read [a nonprofit educating families on the benefits of reading aloud] indicates that children exposed to early reading programs are six months ahead in vocabulary, language, and communication skills by the time they start school,” the outlet continued.
Study International emphasized the importance of creating the proper environment for a child, including the restriction of screens.
This goes hand-in-hand with a study done by Stanford that found movies can actually rewire our brains.
READ MORE: DID YOU KNOW MOVIES CAN REWIRE YOUR BRAIN?
“What babies learn to recognize best during their early visual apprenticeship with the world are facial expressions. Without effort they distinguish one look from another, understand what different looks mean and judge smiles of different intensities,” it wrote. “They can differentiate surprise, anger, happiness, sadness, disapproval and fear — an aptitude that watching screens can never instill.”
Built In added that screens can interrupt a child’s natural curiosity and relationships with others, explaining, “Sticking an iPad in the way impedes the process as well as the evolutionarily ancient neuronal development that leads to their attachment to fellow humans.”
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