2 children are conceived today, [date]
At just 16 days the neural plate develops
The weight of the brain increases the most immediately before and after 40 weeks of pregnancy/development
Basic brain architecture: development of essential neural pathways for different functions peak in the first year
Brain development at different stages
Love Security Stimulation Nutrition
Long term toxic stress changes brain architecture …and the expression of genes PET Scan
Development Age mo Our 2 children’s development Child that is receiving more than sufficient love security and stimulation Child that is receiving less than sufficient love security and stimulation
Chances for developmental delays when exposed to a certain number of risk factors Risk factors: poverty, single parent househole, low education of mother, caregiver substance abuse, abuse, teenage mother, more than 4 children in the household, caregiver with serious psychological problems, part of a minority group.
48 Million words 13 Million words Number of words toddlers have heard by the time they are 3 years old Professional parents Parents claiming welfare (Hart and Risley, 1995) Development of language is a critical part of the development puzzle
Bron: Comprehension Various studies show that toddlers with a larger vocabulary read better when they go to school Source: Wordworks: Narrowing the Literacy Gap
Development Age mo Thus, the differences between our 2 children grows and increase in significance over time
GRADE 3 Sources: SA: Dept of Basic Education Annual National Assessments % GRADE 6 46% Proportion of children that scored less than 40% for their home language
Proportion children that scored less than 40% for basic numeracy GRADE 3 Sources: SA: Dept of Basic Education Annual National Assessments 2014 GRADE 6 48% 80%
Development Ouderdom mo Has plenty life options and the ability to create own opportunity More or less impossible to make up the difference. This one of the ways that we are perpetuating inequality in our society Various life options are no longer possibilities and the ability to create own opportunity is greatly reduced
Development Ouderdom mo Has plenty life options and the ability to create own opportunity More or less impossible to make up the difference. This one of the ways that we are perpetuating inequality in our society Various life options are no longer possibilities and the ability to create own opportunity is greatly reduced
The best return on investment in human resource is in early childhood
Simple programmes and resources- design for mass implementation and high impact Motivate and equip adults to help children to read because they enjoy it. A playgroup‘social franchise’ that provides structured ECD in circumstances with limited resources and formal training Connect high risk pregnant/early mothers with another mother for support and sharing during the first 1000 days.
What will happen if many of us start to do simple things to ensure that more children stay on a growth path that allows them more life options and the possibility of living out their life potential?
The “ordinary magic” that can change a child’s future: 1.A loving parent/caregiver 2.Another caring adult in their lives 3.Modest access to opportunity at crucial times in a child’s life
Children has the potential to change this country – and right now that potential is in our hands. Who will bring about the next REAL change in this country? Each and all of us.