The most important thing in child development is a child’s relationship with parents and other primary caregivers. A child needs to feel safe and loved. A child must form bonds with others in his or her life. When a child is socially and emotionally secure, his or her brain develops properly and allows for learning. Young children learn from engaging caregivers and an enriching environment. They do not need a formal education, just opportunities to learn.
Why Are the First 3 Years of a Child’s Life so Important?
The first three years of a child’s life are so important because this is a time of exceptionally fast brain growth. The brain develops faster during this period than during any other time in life. It is easy to understand why this period is so important if you consider how much a child changes from birth to age three. A child goes from a newborn who can do very little to a toddler who can walk and talk.
A child absorbs so much during this period. During the first three years, a child is acquiring language and other communications skills. A child is also undergoing significant physical development. The right childcare environment can help with this development.
At What Age Is a Child’s Personality Developed?
Watching a child’s personality develop is one of the joys of motherhood. A child’s personality can begin to emerge as early as infanthood. You may have stubborn baby who refuses to try new foods. Or maybe your baby cries when you leave him at a childcare setting. These little traits are part of your baby’s emerging personality.
Most experts agree that a child’s personality really begins to settle between the ages of two and six. This makes sense, as most children begin to develop a sense of self around age two. They begin to truly understand that they are separate from their parents and that they have control over their actions. Over the next few years, children begin to show independence and preference and their personality is developed.
How Does Childhood Affect Personality?
Many experiences during childhood can affect a child’s adult personality, but just because a child behaves a certain way doesn’t mean the child will still act that way as adult. For example, most kids who push the limits as toddlers do not grow up to become law breaking criminals.
The elements of personality that are set during childhood are more fundamental. One of the instincts of motherhood is to bond with your child. One of the reasons a mother has this instinct is that a child develops certain personality traits by bonding with caregivers. Children who have a warm, connected relationship with their parents tend to have a warmer, more open personality as adults.
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Infographic created by MySpectrum, a top counseling center
Conclusion
The ages between birth and three are the most important years of childhood. So much is going on with your child mentally, physically and emotionally. Your child is also developing many aspects of his or her personality. All of this development is bolstered by a child’s relationship with his or her caregivers.
As a caregiver, you may be wondering what you can do to aid in your child’s development. The most important thing is to create a warm relationship with your child. Talk, sing, play and show affection whenever possible.
There are many ways to encourage your child’s learning. Reading with your child is a great way to form a bond, develop communication skills and more. You can also make sure your child’s environment is full of enriching baby objects to encourage learning.
