Stoke Speaks Out provides a series of simple and adaptable tips and activities that can be implemented in child settings to foster babies’ and toddlers’ cognitive development and emotional well being.
We know approximately 70% of brain growth takes place in the first 2-3 years of life, of which 90% occurs in the first year. The child’s environment and those interactions that take place during these early years play a crucial role in the development and formation of neural pathways formed during this time.
The use of space, colours and objects will be explored and demonstrated, including identifying stimulating colours for brain growth, transition objects and tips to make the initial separation easier, and the effective use of quiet areas and mobiles.
The aim is to demonstrate ideal physical and social environments that practitioners can easily implement based on evidence-based research.
Stoke Speaks Out can assist you in developing the ideal environment that is conducive for children’s cognitive development and emotional well being.
The maternity ward is usually where an infant has its’ very first experiences of the world. First impressions are long-lasting and creating an environment that may be modelled by the staff is a great way to lay the foundations of a relationship that could last many years and have a profound impact on a child’s continuing development.
For expecting mums preparation of the nursery at home can be both an exciting period and at times overwhelming. Pastel Pink, Blue or Green? Or do you opt for dashing Magenta, Indigo and Violet? Black and White, Mozart and Beethoven? The expensive rocking chair and playpen or the hand made mobiles?
The research available today clearly demonstrates that young children benefit from attendance at children’s settings and the opportunity to socialise with others. And yet it would appear that parents continue to struggle with the family decision to leave their children in the care of relative strangers and feel guilty about not being around to witness some of their children’s milestones of development.
The physical environment and processes in place in children’s settings, however, will greatly influence the level of cognitive and emotional benefits children receive and the support parents receive during this period.
It is evident in various schools that there is little consistency, especially in regards to differentiating and accommodating the need to have a ‘quiet’ and ‘soothing’ space compared to promoting intellectual stimulation often evident with what can be argued to be overly stimulated classrooms that may in fact hinder learning. Identifying the balance and providing evidence-based consistent information is part of our role at Stoke Speaks Out.
