The first five years of a child’s life are the most formative, since this is the time when the human brain develops most rapidly.  What is interesting to note, is that the brain is the only organ not fully developed at birth.  Instead, the brain develops gradually from birth through the end of the adolescent years.  Brain regions linked with certain abilities or behaviors also become connected at different times.  Genetics allow for windows in learning to occur one after the other and while some areas of the brain remain open for learning for many years, other windows of opportunity are only open for brief periods of time.  Synaptic connections within the brain are strengthened with continual use and serve as conduits that guide thinking and behavior, many of which are opened during the first few years of life.

Relationships are an important factor that have a powerful effect on the social and emotional activity of a young child.  Children learn to control the way they respond to people and events from the behavior of their parents and other caregivers.  Children who feel tended to and protected can learn to regulate and control their behavior when a parent helps develop that ability by soothing distress, enhancing alertness, and by responding sensitively to the needs of to their child.  Children who have had inconsistent parenting do not know how to attend to that need and avoid help from others in learning to regulate their behavior.  But children who have had a caring, responsive upbringing are better at handling frustration, show less hyperactivity and have longer attention spans during their preschool years.

Experience is also a crucial determinant in how the brain organizes itself.  If parents are insensitive, children may have problems with anxiety, rage, impulsiveness or violence due to overdevelopment of midbrain areas because of too much of the wrong kinds of stimulation like neglect or abuse.  Not enough emotional involvement from parents leaves children at risk for developing a safe bond with their parents, which is necessary for the development of trust, empathy, self-esteem, impulse control and successful relationships.  A lifetime of emotional and social underdevelopment may remain if a secure attachment with parents is not established.  Studies also show that parents are spending less time with their children per week than pervious years and that sufficient quality time for parent interaction is necessary to provide nurturing, intellectual stimulation, and consistent discipline for children to excel. 

Since a child’s most important need is having a secure relationship with an adult who loves them, researchers agree that playing with your children is the best way to build their brains and give them what they need for good start in education.