Ferile Minds

Reading this article was rather fascinating. I have always believed that the first year was essential to a child's learning and growing. Although, many disagreed with me, it was fun to read in the article that they agreed with me. I liked how they talked about the simple ways to show love and to help your child grow is nothing new. They said, "The importance of hands-on parenting, of finding the time to cuddle a baby, talk with a toddler and provide infants with stimulating experiences" is what should be happening for children, but since not all are born under such favorable conditions, Preschools/day cares need to provide opportunity for the brain to expand in the same manner. I liked how Dr. Harry Chugani said that there "is no excuse for ignoring the environment's power to remodel the brain. We may not do much to change what happens before birth, but we can change what happens after a baby is born." I liked that because it lays it out. It is the responsibility of all of us to take care of our young ones and to help them be as effective as possible. After this point in the article they lost me. As they went into the importance of genes and all things that could help the development of the brain. I was basically lost, but then I was found toward the end when they started talking about 'windows of opportunity'. I hope that I will continue to apply what they taught. They the window for learning does not close abruptly, but rather it can open and if we are continuing in our teaching and learning we enable the brain to continue to be active and open for learning and improving. I really thought the article was effective and that it gave me a different understanding to what the brain really is all about.