How to support brain development in early childhood

As a parent, you’re witness to the incredible rate at which a child grows and changes from birth. But did you know that brain development in early childhood is faster, more sensitive and has a bigger impact on their lives, than at any other age? That’s a pretty mind-blowing thought, but the good news is that there are lots of ways to support brain development in the early years, both at home and in a high-quality nursery setting.

Two young children engaged in a hands-on learning activity with natural wooden counting resources and acorns at a nursery table, supported by a childcare practitioner wearing a red Partou uniform. The bright early years classroom features warm cream, beige and natural wood tones, encouraging numeracy, communication and child development through play-based learning.

The different stages of brain development

If you think about all the experiences a child will take in, from the newborn stage to heading off to “big” school, it’s no surprise that the infant brain goes through some significant changes in the early years. Let’s take a look at the brain development stages in early childhood.

Birth to 2 years

During this time, your child is learning and absorbing a huge amount of information, using sensory data to make sense of their environment, and starting to make their own mark on the world.

Interestingly a baby’s brain is fairly smooth at birth. This is because it has yet to start being shaped by the connections that they make during their early years experiences
At birth, a newborn baby has all the neurons (brain cells) they will ever have, but what’s important is the development of connections between the neurons. That begins to happen in earnest straight away – at a rate of over 1 million new connections per second!
A baby’s brain doubles in size during their first year of life.
By the age of 2, a child’s brain is already 83% the volume of an adult brain.

Two to 5 years

Between 2 and 5, your child’s brain is hard at work acquiring language skills. It’s also beginning to adapt and specialise to suit their unique environment.

At the age of 3, your child’s brain is twice as active as your own!
During this time, your child’s brain starts to cut down on neural connections it doesn’t need. This is called ‘synaptic pruning’ and it helps them to focus building the knowledge and skills they need.
Between the ages of 23 and 30 months, the number of words in your child’s vocabulary will more than double.

Tips to support your child’s development at home

The importance of brain development in early childhood can’t be overstated – but try not to worry: a child with attentive, engaged caregivers will get all they need. Here are some tips for parents to support their child’s brain development at home:

Talk to your child – even when they don’t yet understand what you’re saying. Speak slowly and clearly, and tell them what you’re doing, what’s happening next and what you can both see.
Play games that allow babies to interact and use eye contact
Singing and stories are really important and impactful. Children thrive when being read to and sung with daily
Try to avoid using a dummy during the day, as it can affect their speaking including forming their mouth round words
Let children get involved in daily tasks – offering explanations of what you are doing, why and how they can help and develop their skills – at an age-appropriate level
Offer choices. Simple choices such as would you like apple or pear. This helps children to develop a sense of self

A child’s development in the early years doesn’t all have to depend on parents. As well as support networks around you such as family and friends, a high quality nursery setting can also play a crucial role. At Partou, we’re here to support you and your child by providing a rich, nurturing environment with staff trained to communicate with the under-5s in a way that promotes their language, learning and brain development.

Back to news

Related news

Outdoor play area at Partou Sycamore House Day Nursery with artificial grass, wooden balance beams, a tyre and small trampoline, a water‑play table with dolls and toy fruit, crates, hoops and potted plants within a fenced, bunting‑decorated space

Benefits of outdoor play for children: why it matters in the early years

Outdoor play might look like it's just for fun, but it works wonders for children's early years development. Here's what they're gaining every time they head outside, whatever the weather.

A wooden mud kitchen outside in dappled sunlight, with iridescent pink, amber and pale green glass bottles and a copper jelly mould along the top shelf, small galvanised buckets of yellow, red and white flowers on the middle shelf, and silver metal pans below filled with bright pink water and scattered pink apple blossom, a calming water play setup for keeping children cool in hot weather.

Keeping Children Cool in the Hot Weather

Keeping children cool in this heat can feel like a difficult task, learn about the hot weather policies and procedures in place at Partou nurseries and get some top tips for supporting children with the heat at home.

A Partou nursery key person in a red fleece holding and cuddling a young child in a yellow jumper, smiling warmly in a nursery classroom setting, supporting separation anxiety through secure, caring relationships.

Separation anxiety in children: How to support your child at home and at nursery

Separation anxiety is a typical early years experience which is often misunderstood. Find out what it really means for your child's development and how to move through it together.