5 Stages of Child Brain Development

From a baby's first words to the development of abstract thinking, understanding how a child's brain develops is an important part of being a parent.

In this article, we will explore the five stages of a child’s brain development, from infancy to adolescence. We will look at how the brain develops in terms of language, physical, cognitive and social-emotional development.

By understanding the stages of child’s brain development, you, as a parent, can better support your child's growth and development and help your child reach his/her full potential.

Stage 1: Newborn

Newborn brain development is an amazing process that occurs over the first few months of a newborn’s life.

During this time, the brain is rapidly forming neural connections and laying the foundation for future learning and development.

During the newborn stage, babies learn to recognize and respond to their environment, including recognizing their parents' faces and voices. They also begin to develop basic motor skills, such as grasping and reaching. That is why time spent with the newborn is important as the newborn develops a bond through touch, smell and their visual cognitive senses.

Stage 2: Infant

Infant brain development is an amazing process that happens during the first year of life.

During this time, babies are learning and developing skills that will shape the rest of their lives. During three to five months, babies are learning to recognize faces, sounds and objects.

By six months, they are beginning to understand language and form basic memories.

By nine months, babies are able to understand simple instructions and can begin to follow simple directions.

By twelve months, babies are starting to form more complex memories and can understand more complex languages. Each of these stages of infant brain development is essential for the healthy development of a child.

Stage 3: Toddler

During this stage, children are learning to think, speak and interact with the world around them. They are developing the ability to recognize patterns, cause-and-effect relationships and problem-solving skills.

As they explore their environment, they are also forming relationships with family and friends, learning to express their feelings, and developing their own sense of self.

Examples of activities that stimulate toddler brain development include talking, playing, reading and exploring. With the right guidance and support, toddlers can learn and grow in a healthy and positive way.

As such, having a safe, secure and encouraging environment for toddlers is essential and crucial.

Stage 4: Preschool

A child at three years of age starts absorbing things around like a sponge. Literally.

At this stage, preschoolers' brains are developing language skills (learning to form sentences), fine motor skills (like writing), and social skills (such as being able to share with others).

All of these things help them learn how to interact with others and make friends as they grow older.

Another important factor is that they are starting to learn how to control their bodies. This means they are learning how to walk, talk and use their hands and fingers with tools such as crayons and scissors.

Stage 5: School-age

The school-age brain is the first time that children are able to think in abstract terms, solve problems creatively and make logical decisions. They have a better understanding of time, numbers, spatial relationships and probability.

The school-age brain is also at its peak for learning language, picking up new skills, and absorbing information through play. Children who are in this stage of development learn best through hands-on experiences and interaction with others.

How we help!

Our purposes for helping children start class at 3 years of age is based scientifically on that they are capable of learning and absorbing information at that age.

Kindy class offered in Mentalmatics are taught in a fun way, cradled in a safe and encouraging environment. These classes can stimulate and help your children’s brain to keep track as their brain develops in every stage.

To find out more, make a reservation to talk to us from the link below!