Child's Brain Building: Parents Have A Big Role To Play

A mom of a playgroup child told me last week how happy she is to notice the numerous learnings her child has picked up so soon. She is also happy to see the new positive changes in her child. We often get such reactions and compliments. And, of course, it reinforces our faith in our methodology. But today I would like to share the next step in the process of ‘Brain Building’ of your child.

Let us figure it out. A child is born with over 100 billion or 10000 crores brain cells or neurons – sixteen times the world population! And each of these cells is capable of making over 15000 connections. Through these ‘connections’ a child internalizes the experiences and acquires new learnings. Now, what should be our role? 

Obviously, learnings should be preserved and the stock should grow. Interestingly this stock does NOT grow automatically like a savings bank account. It will rather vanish if not strengthened. Yes, if they are not used, the learning pathways are obliterated. This is called the “use it or lose it” principle.

This is what you should be doing – helping the child to use a ‘connection’ repeatedly so that it becomes permanent in the brain. Repeat and revise what your child is learning at school. Please note that we are not promoting rote-learning. It should not be memorizing by repetition, it should be understanding, perceiving and comprehending by revision.  And it should be fun. No stress, no strain. A regular routine will help a long way.

Sensory learnings, activity-centric knowledge and words-phrases based language connections should be inculcated in the early years. Parents have a big role to play in this. You’ll be happy for doing this as you’ll proudly see your little one blooming. 

As they say, ‘the first years last forever’.