Learning in the first five years Date:   Tuesday , September 01, 2015 Child development refers to the changes that occur as a child grows and develops in relation to being physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally sound, socially competent and ready to learn. The first five years of a child\'s life are fundamentally important. They are the foundation that shapes children\'s future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general. Recent research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of the child\'s brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping the child\'s brain architecture. Early experiences provide the base for the brain\'s organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life. They need love and nurturing to develop a sense of trust and security that turns into confidence as they grow. Babies and young children grow, learn and develop rapidly when they receive love and affection, attention, encouragement and mental stimulation, as well as nutritious meals and good health care. All children have the right to be raised in a family and to have access to quality health care, good nutrition, education, play and protection from harm, abuse and discrimination. Children have the right to grow up in an environment in which they are enabled to reach their full potential in life. It is the duty of parents, other caregivers and family members, communities, civil society and governments to ensure that these rights are respected, protected and fulfilled, says Panchraj Tripathi Director wonder play school network. The early years, especially the first three years of life, are very important for building the baby\'s brain. Everything she or he sees, touches, tastes, smells or hears helps to shape the brain for thinking, feeling, moving and learning. A child\'s brain develops rapidly during the first five years of life, especially the first three years. It is a time of rapid cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and motor development. For example, a child learns many words starting at around 15–18 months. Rapid language learning continues into the preschool years. The child\'s brain grows as she or he sees, feels, tastes, smells and hears. Each time the child uses one of the senses, a neural connection is made in the child\'s brain. New experiences repeated many times help make new connections, which shape the way the child thinks, feels, behaves and learns now and in the future. A close relationship between the child and the caregiver is the best way to nourish the child\'s growing brain. When a caregiver plays with and sings, speaks, reads or tells a story to the child and nurtures her or him with healthy food, love and affection, the child\'s brain grows. Being healthy, interacting with caregivers and living in a safe and clean environment can make a big difference in a child\'s growth, development and future potential. Babies learn rapidly from the moment of birth. They grow and learn best when responsive and caring parents and other caregivers give them affection, attention and stimulation in addition to good nutrition, proper health care and protection. Touch, hearing, smell, sight and taste are learning tools the child uses to explore and understand her or his world. Affection, attention and stimulation Children\'s minds develop rapidly when they are talked to, touched and cuddled; when they see and hear familiar faces and voices; and when they handle different objects. Children learn quickly when they feel loved and secure from birth and when they play and interact with family members and other people close to them. The more often mothers, fathers and other caregivers play with, talk to and respond to the child, the faster she or he learns. Parents and other caregivers should consistently talk, read and sing to infants and young children. Even if the child is not yet able to understand the words, these early \'conversations\' help to develop social and language skills and learning capacities. Parents and other caregivers can help children learn and grow by giving them new, interesting and safe things to look at, listen to, smell, hold and play with. Children who feel secure and loved usually do better in school, are more self-confident, have good self-esteem and are able to cope more easily with life\'s challenges. Encouraging children to play and explore helps them learn and develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. This helps children get ready for school. Children play because it is fun. Play is also key to their learning and development. Playing, both structured and unstructured, lays the foundation for a child\'s development of future learning and life skills. It helps children to develop their knowledge, experience, curiosity and confidence, learn by trying things, comparing results, asking questions and meeting challenges, develops the skills of language, thinking, planning, organizing and decision-making. When parents and other caregivers talk and interact with children in their first language, it helps children develop the ability to think and express themselves. Children learn language quickly and easily through hearing and singing songs, having stories told or read to them, repeating rhymes and playing games. All children need a variety of simple play materials that are suitable for their stage of development and learning. Water, sand, cardboard boxes, wooden building blocks, and pots and lids are just as good for facilitating a child\'s play and learning as toys bought from a shop. Children learn how to behave (socially and emotionally) by imitating the behaviour of those closest to them. By watching and imitating others, young children learn how to interact socially. They learn acceptable and unacceptable kinds of behaviour. The examples set by adults, older siblings and children are the most powerful influences shaping a child\'s behaviour and personality. One way children learn is by copying what others do. If men and women do not treat each other equally, the child will observe, learn and probably copy this behaviour. If adults shout, behave violently, exclude or discriminate, children will learn this type of behaviour. If adults treat others with kindness, respect and patience, children will follow their example. If mothers and fathers treat each other with love and respect, this is what their children will learn and most likely \'replay\' in their adult relationships. Children like to pretend. This should be encouraged, as it develops their imagination and creativity. It also helps the child understand different ways people behave. 5.Entering primary school on time is critical to ensure the continuity of a child\'s development. Support from parents, other caregivers, teachers and the community is very important. In most countries, children start primary school at around 6 or 7 years of age. Starting school is a critical stage in a child\'s development. Both girls and boys should start school at the appropriate age (in accordance with their country\'s policy). By the time they enter school, they should have basic cognitive and language skills and sufficient social competency and emotional development to allow them to enjoy learning in the formal school setting. The support of parents and other caregivers is very important for children\'s successful transition to school. Parents and other caregivers should equally and fully support both girls and boys in attending school regularly and being well prepared. They should also be involved in school activities. This helps children adapt to the school setting, settle more quickly into the school learning environment and attend school regularly. 6.All children grow and develop in similar patterns, but each child develops at her or his own pace. Every child has her or his own interests, temperament, style of social interaction and approach to learning. Understanding the ages and stages of child development helps parents understand the changes to expect as a child grows and develops. Parents or other caregivers should be able to seek help when they feel their child is not developing as expected. By observing how young children respond to touch, sound and sight, parents can identify signs of possible developmental problems or disabilities. If a young child is developing slowly, parents and other caregivers can help by spending extra time with the child, playing and talking with the child, and massaging the child\'s body. A girl or boy with a disability needs lots of love and extra protection. She or he needs all the same attention, care and support every other child needs: birth registration, breastfeeding, immunizations, nutritious food, and protection from abuse and violence. Like all children, children with disabilities should be encouraged to play and interact with other children. If a child has mental or emotional difficulties or has been abused, she or he needs mental health or counselling services. The child should be assessed to determine what support and treatment are needed. Panchraj Tripathi, Director Wonder Play School-Delhi Panchraj Tripathi is an educational innovator, director of wonder play school\'s network and quality management professional who mentors teachers and school leaders.