Brain Development

Yes, children are resilient, but from the moment they are born their brains are growing and developing.  Each new experience is creating new dendrite connections in their brains. The more new experiences, the more dendrite connections, the smarter the child. That is the secret to brain development.

Lizzy taught first grade for 30 years. I’ll let you in on a secret. There is a difference in intelligence between first graders who have had many new experiences and those who have not. The difference is evident even in first grade. New, novel experiences are what causes the brain to grow and expand.  

I actually said this to Lizzy when our children were little. “Why are we investing so much in taking these kids to Disney World and providing birthday parties at the park? They will never remember it.” Thankfully, I had a wife who was persistent and said, “Each new experience forms who they are. Whether they remember any of the details is not what is important.”  

All these years later, I can say that I was wrong and she was right. We have smart, successful adult children today because of the investment we paid into their lives when they were children. Are you interested in brain development? Love your children like people.

Also, see A Rich and Wonderful Life.

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear