Critical period is a maturational stage in which any stimulation to the child is particularly fruitful and vital. Research from all over the world confirms that the first five years of a child's life form the critical period of development. A child's brain develops tremendously during the first five years of life, especially the first three years. It is a time of rapid mental, speech, social, emotional and motor development. A child's brain grows as he/she sees, feels, tastes, smells and hears. Each time the child uses one of the senses, a neural connection is made in the child's brain. New experiences repeated many times help make new connections and shape the way the child thinks, feels, behaves and learns now and in the future-thus shaping the child's brain architecture The critical period plays a very important role in children's future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family and community, and in life in general. Early experiences provide the base for the brain's organizational development and functioning throughout life. It also has a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities. Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life. If the child does not receive the requisite attention and care during his/her critical period, it may be difficult, ultimately less successful, or even impossible to develop some functions later in life.
Did you know?
The critical period for hearing and vision is upto 12 months of age! (make this did-you know part stand-out) It is because of this reason that children must be tested for hearing and vision immediately after they are born and corrective measures must be taken very early due to limited time. As for speech-language ability, the development starts in the initial months of life and by the age of 5, it starts slowing down. The above does not mean that one wont listen or speak later in life. However, the effort and time taken is much more. More the "gap", lesser are the chances of developing these life skills like other age-matched children. The brain "plasticity" is limited after the critical period.
Understanding the stages of child development helps parents know what to expect and how to best support the child as he/she grows and develops. Starting school is a crucial stage in a child's development. Children should start school at the appropriate age. They must have basic thinking and speech-language skills with adequate social-emotional development to help them enjoy learning in the formal school setting.
