Play for the brain

Play for the Brain "The first years last forever," experts advise parents. Modern imaging techniques show how early experiences have long-term consequences by helping to determine the actual structure of a child's brain. It's as if what happens in early childhood is written on stone, as compared to later experiences, which might be likened to tracings in the sand, or even writing on water, as we get older. While you, as a parent, might welcome …

…development doesn't mean sitting your three year old at a desk to trace over endless lines of printed letters...unless he or she is having fun playing school. Play remains at the heart of early learning. Children are naturally motivated to learn by exploring and manipulating their world. Caring adults help them to follow their interests by providing a safe setting and a responsive, stimulating environment. It can be as simple as having fun together.