Did you Know ….to better understand the first years of life(1)
On the World Children’s Day, ProChild CoLAB, in collaboration with the partners of the Primeiros Anos a Nossa Prioridade / First Years First Priority Campaign, launch the initiative “Did you know that…?”, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of investing in the early years of life.
The first phase of the social media communication runs from 30 May to 3 June 2022. This initiative will continue throughout the coming months.
Did you know that… From 0 to 3 years brain development is faster than at any other stage of life?
During the first 1000 days of life, the rate of brain growth is faster than the rate of growth of any other part of the body. It is estimated that in the first few years of life over one million (1,000,000) neuronal connections are established every second, more than at any other time in life. This is why babies and young children learn so much faster than adults!
Did you know that… Investment in quality childcare is an effective strategy to tackle poverty and social exclusion, which can have an impact over several generations?
Evidence has shown that attending high-quality childcare is very important, especially for children from backgrounds affected by social and economic inequalities. Childcare can act as a child promoter and protector, contributing, among other things, to higher educational attainment, better wages, higher levels of wellbeing and fewer health problems.
Did you know that… Investment in the early years of life brings a significant economic return to society?
Development in the early years of life directly influences economic, health and social factors, both individually and collectively. Studies conducted by the American economist James Heckman (Nobel Prize in Economics) reveal that every dollar invested in the early years of a child’s life, can represent average gains of 10 dollars for society. Conversely, adverse living environments create gaps in skills and abilities that reduce success in adulthood and increase social risks – thus exacerbating long-term financial costs.
Did you know that… Early intervention can make a difference when faced with warning signs in a child’s development?
The brain is more flexible in the early years, enabling the child to integrate a wide range of experiences. Although we are always learning, as the brain develops and specialises, it becomes less able to reorganise and adapt to new or unexpected challenges. Early intervention, when brain plasticity is greatest, can minimise the impact of developmental changes. Collaborative work with the family is essential for the success of any intervention in this area.
Did you know that… Until the age of 3, toys are not the most important thing in promoting a child’s development?
Attentive and responsive adults to children’s communication initiatives help to broaden children’s knowledge of the world, promoting children’s confidence for further exploration and learning. At all times of the day, children learn in interaction with others. Toys with lots of colours, sounds, or lights can be very stimulating, but they cannot replace the power and impact of positive interactions, which are the key element of development at this stage.
- LinkedIn ProChild CoLAB: www.linkedin.com/in/prochild-colab-against-poverty-and-social-exclusion-3769b818a
- Facebook ProChild CoLAB: https://www.facebook.com/ProChild-CoLab-Against-Child-Poverty-and-Social-Exclusion-1687168358082554
- Instagram ProChild CoLAB: https://www.instagram.com/prochild.colab/
- Facebook FNSBS : https://www.facebook.com/Fundacao.FNSBS
- LinkedIn FNSBS : https://www.linkedin.com/company/funda%C3%A7%C3%A3o-nossa-senhora-do-bom-sucesso/mycompany/
Social media