The World Health Organization defines early childhood as the time ranging from conception to age 8. It is a time of rapid growth and development that is significantly influenced by the child's environment. Habits, traits and lifestyle developed in early childhood often linger to influence the adult years. Disease and social adjustment issues such as obesity, poor reading skills, heart disease and a tendency toward crime often lie in seeds planted in the very young.
Cellular
The brain grows more in the first three years of life than at any other time. According to the West Central Initiative, as many as 200 billion nerve and brain cells are present at birth. These nerve endings are triggered by the baby's experiences. The activity known as learning sets the stage for a lifetime of brain cell development as nerve endings attach when stimulated. Brain cells that don't get used atrophy and die.
Environment
Outside stimulation, nutrition and interaction with adults significantly affect early brain development, according to the World Health Organization. Children develop strong learning skills and social and emotional growth from a sufficient amount of outside stimulation in the form of talking, music, playing and touching. Babies between the ages of 6 months and 3 years develop their language and communication skills based on the level of environmental stimulation they receive.
Stress
Babies are affected by stress that leads to a higher risk of stress-related mental and physical diseases as the children grow. Adversity, violence, poverty and neglect during early childhood affect learning capabilities as well. Children born to stable families with strong work ethics and steady employment tend to be more successful once they reach school, reports the West Central Initiative.
Nutrition
Proper nutrition is vitally important for proper development during the early years of life. Physical growth is stunted from malnutrition. The World Health Organization reports that nearly 25 percent of babies in developing countries are anemic due to low iron levels. As a result of poor nutrition, nearly 30,000 children under the age of 5 die each year, according to UNICEF. Children who do survive but continue to be malnourished experience developmental delays, while many become orphans when their mothers die of malnutrition.
Education
Early childhood education in the form of parental teaching, day care and the first few years of grade school has an enormous impact on the child's future school experiences. Notes the West Central Initiative, 17 percent of high school students receive GEDs rather than graduating, in part due to early childhood influences. Long-term societal success depends on a strong workforce that starts with effective early childhood educational programs.
