Early interventions are family services and support that help babies and toddlers, from birth to 4ish years of age, with developmental delays or disabilities. Early interventions allow us to diminish potential behavioral problems and change adverse neurodevelopmental paths.
What does change neurodevelopmental paths mean?
Our brain is a complex organ made of specialized areas that control our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, reality, etc, etc. For example, our vision happens in our occipital lobe, located at the back of the head. This is a very important part of the brain for seeing.
Our pre-frontal cortex, in the front of the head, is in charge of executive functions (higher-level cognitive skills).
Our hippocampus, embedded in the brain, is associated with memory, learning, and emotions. Seemingly, and probably to a point, the greater the volume of our hippocampus, the better we are with memory, learning, and emotions.
Family research studies show that maternal support increases child hippocampal growth. (Click here for important child development research by groundbreaking female researchers Dr. Joan Luby & Dr. Deanna Barch, et al)
If we hope to give our children the best psychological life possible, we may try to increase their hippocampal growth by reading to them, listening to them, playing with them, taking them on trips, and going outside as soon as they are born.
Early life reading advances brain development by increasing neurons (fundamental building blocks of
the brain).
Listening, even if we don’t understand what
is being said,
will model appropriate attention skills.
Playing increases happy hormones (I.e. serotonin, dopamine) important for lowering externalizing behaviors (I.e. depression, anxiety), increasing happiness, and much more.
Traveling is an invaluable way to learn about diverse cultures, areas, animals, and human behavior
of the world.
Playing outside reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and increases vitamin D, boosts blood cells, and the immune system.
