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The First 1000 Days

The Significance of the Early Years

The First 1000 Days

It is widely accepted and acknowledged that children grow and change so rapidly in the first few years. This period in a person’s life is significant for many reasons and here are some of them.

  1. The human brain develops more quickly in the first 1000 days than any other time during life.
  2. Nutrition intake in the first 1000 days provides the foundation of lifelong health.
  3. There is evidence that from conception, the foetus actively responds to changes in their environment.
  4. A combination of genetics and environment predisposes children to a particular condition or behaviour called epigenetic system. This is the most sensitive in their first 1000 days.
  5. Babies double their birth weight by 5 months and triple it in their first year.
  6. Exposing children to language (including in the womb) can support vocabulary and overall language in later years.
  7. Babies put everything in their mouths because the most sensitive touch receptors are in their mouth.
  8. A newborn can hear as well as an adult. They can recognise a mother’s voice from birth through hearing as little as one syllable.
  9. The more children play, the stronger brain connections they form.
  10. Children thrive in healthy environments. Being kind and looking after yourself not only benefits you, but your child too.
Melinda Williams

Melinda Williams, mother of 3 children and Education & Inspiration Mentor at Fit Kidz Learning Centres.

All stories by: Melinda Williams