UNH Cooperative Extension - Family - Parent - Parenting

Parenting - Infants & Toddlers

image of child taking first step When it comes to raising children, today's parents and caregivers often feel confused and uncertain. Learn tips to keep your children safe, happy, and healthy.

Programs:

Cradle Crier/Toddler Tales Newsletter(s)

Family Focus: Parenting the Young Child - This program is targeted to parents of children from birth through age 5 years. UNH Cooperative Extension's Family & Consumer Resources educators or Family Focus parent educators deliver the program in communities. Parents and guardians learn about the development of the young child, positive discipline techniques to use with toddlers and preschoolers, effective parent-child interactions, and stress management. Call your county UNH Cooperative Extension office for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions:.

I've been hearing a lot lately about brain development in children. What is happening to the brain in these early years that parents should be aware of?

ANS: A baby has more than 100 billion brain cells or neurons when he or she is born. Some of these brain cells are connected, or wired, at birth so the newborn can control his or her breathing, heartbeats, and other functions that keep the baby alive. However, during the early years of life, quadrillions of connections are made between the brain cells. These connections shape how children think, feel, and act.
Do these brain connections occur by themselves? Do they just develop, as the child grows older?

ANS: This is where the environment plays such an important role. What a baby or child sees, hears, smells, tastes, and feels are important in building these connections. How parents and other caregivers care for children helps determine how the brain becomes wired. Connections that are not stimulated are eliminated. They wither and die and are no longer there for use by the child. We can think about this in terms of our bodies. Our brains, just like the muscles in our bodies, become stronger with exercise. If we don't exercise, eventually our muscles would grow so weak they would not be useful to us. If children's brains aren't exercised or stimulated, connections among brain cells weaken and no longer help children develop memory, problem solving skills, language, and the capacity to relate to people and to cope with the challenges of life.
What can parents do to help stimulate their children's developing brains?

ANS: The things most parents already do contribute to the building of brain power. When you rock and cuddle your baby or hug and kiss your preschooler you're helping to develop the connections that lead to your child's ability to experience emotions and relate well to people. Through nurturance, warmth and affection, and consistently and lovingly meeting the needs of babies, parents are helping to develop the part of the brain that deals with emotions such as empathy, happiness, sadness, and hopefulness. Also, reading to babies and young children can stimulate language development. Some people feel silly talking to babies because they can't talk back. But talking to your baby as you feed, dress, or play with her is developing those brain cell connections that will contribute to language development. Keeping to a regular schedule or routine helps children to understand their world and what to expect from it. Allowing children to play with different materials and toys enables children to gain skills and develop curiosity.

Publications:

Links:

Family Home & Garden Education Center

Other Sites

Parenting - Infants & Toddlers