The First Three Years of a Child's Life Are a Period of Astonishing Brain Development

Children undergo a remarkable period of brain development between conception and age three. At birth, a child already has close to 100 billion neurons, but her brain development is far from complete.

To function, a neuron needs accurate connections with other neurons. These connections (or synapses) allow neurons to send and receive information, and the brain’s networks of neurons and synapses form the underpinning of all cognitive development. Synapses that are used regularly are strengthened. Synapses that are not used are pruned.*

Early brain development reflects not only genetics, health and nutrition, but also a child’s environment of relationships. When young children can count on nurturing relationships and enriching environments, they are set on a pathway to a lifetime of learning. But when children experience the stress of uncertainty, chaos, or neglect early in life, a critical opportunity is lost. There is a direct link, in turn, between a child’s early development and their later success in school, and even the type of parent, worker and citizen they will become.

Parents can do a great deal to support early childhood brain development. And much of what parents can do best is free: talking, cuddling, singing, and playing with young children supports their early development. Success leads to success, and these same children are on a pathway to lifelong learning and well-being.

As a community, we benefit from investments in early childhood.

High-quality early childhood investments, particularly when they focus on at-risk families, are cost-effective economic development policies. Long-term evaluations show that these programs return an average of $6 for every dollar invested.

These savings come in many forms. Children who participate in high-quality early care and education programs are more likely to graduate from high school, delay parenting until they are out of their teens, and earn higher wages.

It’s no wonder that economists argue that the smartest development dollar we can spend is on the healthy development of young children. Conversely, real and profound costs to both individuals and society follow when more than half of our children in Shelby County are born into poverty and lack access to critical developmental resources and experiences.

For an overview of research-supported ways to improve the lives of young children, visit http://www.promisingpractices.net

For more information about early childhood brain development and its implications in Shelby County, visit the Urban Child Institute Databook at: http://www.theurbanchildinstitute.org

*For an expanded version of this column with a complete list of sources, download this policy brief: 03, 2009 An Ounce of Prevention