Incredible potential

Have you ever stopped to think how much potential lies in a baby? Each child is born knowing little to nothing, yet in their first five years of life, they acquire a large vocabulary, develop their motor skills, learn basic societal manners, and acquire new skills simply by observing those around them. I was doing some research, trying to find out more specifics of what a child has the potential to learn in the first five years when I found this interesting statement.

"According to pediatrician, Dr. Lisa Caso, of Tender Care Pediatrics, the first five years are the most critical in a child's development. It’s a time when parents should place a great deal of emphasis on love, bonding, and all positive learning experiences. Her claim has been confirmed by research that shows that parental involvement in children’s education is beneficial. Research on the benefits of parent involvement indicate that parents become more sensitive to their children's needs, and their acceptance and enjoyment of their children increase. As the children’s chance of experiencing intellectual success improves, they become stronger socially and emotionally (Peterson, 1989)."

(reprinted from an article at A Child's Journey)

So not only does my child have the potential to learn, but also I am the key to unlocking that potential. For example, read this article about helping your child to learn a second language. The emphasis is really on the parental involvement. As my children get older, I find myself asking what more I could have done to do a better job of unlocking their potential.

What do you do to help your child develop?