At birth, an infant’s brain houses 100 billion nerve cells, or neurons. Immediately, connections – or synapses – between the cells form as the baby experiences her surroundings and makes attachments to caregivers. This network of neurons and synapses controls various functions, such as seeing, hearing, and moving. By the age of three, a child’s brain has about 1,000 trillion synapses – twice as many as an adult. But if a child’s brain is not stimulated from birth, these synapses don’t develop, impairing her ability to learn and grow. What does this mean for parents? “Basically, the latest research confirms the importance of what many parents do instinctively, such as reading, cuddling, and talking to their children,” says Angie Dorell, director of curriculum at La Petite Academy, the nation’s second-largest preschool. She says these five parenting practices will help ensure a child’s healthy brain development.
