The Science
A developing brain grows quickly, making 1 million new connections every second.
From birth to age three, children’s brains grow and change very quickly. During this time, they are ready to explore, learn, and connect with their caregivers. At Sunbeam Family Services, we focus on these important early years. We use the latest brain research to help babies and toddlers grow in healthy ways and create brighter futures for them and their families.
When we are born, our brains have billions of neurons, but most of them are not connected yet.
These connections, called synapses, get stronger through positive experiences that happen again and again. These connections are important because they help babies learn the skills they need to grow, thrive, and be part of their family, community, and culture.
Why the early years are important.
We learn different things at different times in our lives. During this time, children are especially ready to learn new things like language, social skills, and how to think. Positive experiences in these early years help build the connections in their brain that they need to thrive and succeed later in life.
According to this study, helping kids do better in school by connecting schools, families, and communities to solve problems like food insecurity and lack of healthcare. This is similar to Head Start, which helps kids from low-income families get ready for school by offering education, health services, and support for families. Both programs show that when children and families have the support they need, kids are more likely to succeed in school and life.
In the first three years of life, loving and supportive relationships help build a strong foundation for health and well-being throughout life.
Caring for relationships help build a strong foundation for a child’s health and happiness. Research shows that a baby’s first relationships and experiences with parents and caregivers have a big impact on their brain development, social skills, and future success in school and life.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Oklahoma.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can affect children for the rest of their lives. ACEs are bad or stressful events, like abuse, neglect, or living in a home with problems. These tough experiences can affect how a child’s brain grows, their emotions, and their health.
In Oklahoma, many children face tough experiences early in life, with 20% to 48% having more than one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) before turning 18. This makes Oklahoma one of the states with the highest number of children dealing with ACEs. It’s important to address ACEs because they can cause problems in school, relationships, and health. But with the right help and positive experiences, children can overcome these challenges and grow up healthy and successful.
