Early Childhood Development

Early childhood development is defined as the first two to three years of life and is a period of continuous physical and brain growth. Brain maturation occurs rapidly in early childhood, during which the brain increases in size and complexity. This growth process begins before a baby is born and continues through early childhood and into adulthood. The brain grows the most dramatically in size and volume, however, during the early childhood years. Like the body, the brain matures in a predictable sequence regardless of sex or culture, and this process is generally regarded as linear. For example, babies make babbling sounds before producing words, and they sit up before they can walk. The skills infants and toddlers develop during this critical period ultimately serve ...