Explaining the importance of early childhood – how can research help us?
Have you ever had a comment along the lines of, “They’re only little, they can start learning when they get to school.” We know how important early childhood is for your child’s future learning, wellbeing, and health, and you’ve probably chosen the app because you know too! But not everyone realises just how important these early years are, and that can lead to some interesting conversations.
We thought we’d look at what the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood found about public attitudes in the United Kingdom this year. The brilliant news is that more people than last year recognise how important early childhood is, but there is still a way to go!
Key findings[1]
There are lots of interesting findings about how much people understand children’s development in the report – here are just a few...
93% of people knew that early childhood shapes later life (with 70% recognising that it is very important).
19% said pregnancy to 5 is the most important period for children’s future life.
Grandparents of children aged 0-5 years old are the group most likely to recognise the importance of early childhood in shaping the future (85%) and most likely to identify pregnancy to age 5 as the most important stage of development (29%).
Why are the first five years so important?
The first five years is the period of our lives when our brains change most rapidly – and these changes create what the Harvard Center on the Develop child describes as ‘brain architecture’.
That really is the foundation for your child's future learning and development – we can and do learn throughout our lives – but early childhood is the time in our lives when our brains change most rapidly
Scientists suggest that early interactions, care and positive experiences provide an important foundation – as the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood describes it, our early childhood shapes our lives.[2]
When you use the app, you will see all the small steps of development your child makes and know that by using the ideas you're giving them a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning and wellbeing.
If anyone asks you why you’re thinking about this now, why not share a skill or an article to show them just how amazing your child is!
We know the first five years are important, but we also know our future is not set – those of us who have had difficult experiences in the past can be supported with challenges we experience now.[3]
Scroll down to the bottom of your Today screen and find more articles about brain development – and celebrate what a fantastic job you’re doing!
References:
[1] Ipsos (June, 2023). Understanding public attitudes towards early childhood. Report produced by Ipsos on behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The-Royal-Foundation-Centre-for-Early-Childhood_Public_Perceptions_Survey_first_release_June_2023.pdf (centreforearlychildhood.org)
[2] Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood (n.d.) Why this matters. Why this matters - Centre for Early Childhood
[3] Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood (n.d.) Building a healthy brain. Building a healthy brain - Centre for Early Childhood