Why first 1 000 days in child’s life are critical

Our brains develop faster in the first 1 000 days of life than any other time in our lives, and critical brain development continues beyond this period, building on the foundations that have been laid during the first 1 000 days.

In the first 18 months of an infant’s life, connections in the brain are created at a rate of 700 000 per second – faster than at any other time. By the 1 000th day of life, a baby’s brain has reached 80% of its adult weight.

Babies who have warm, loving, responsive care develop empathy and the tools to have good relationships. They are also better able to deal with the emotional and social stresses of life.

A baby’s social and emotional development is affected by the quality of their bond with at least one loving, sensitive and responsive adult.

This relationship with a consistent and continuous adult caregiver helps the child develop resilience and protects against stress.

Babies who are spoken with, played with and helped to experience the world in a kind and loving environment are likely to have the tools to cope well at school. Interaction and stimulation helps a child to develop the ability to concentrate and focus, develop self-control, and build a vocabulary.

This in turn improves their chances of achieving while at school; staying in school and ultimately finding employment.