Early childhood (from birth to 8 years of age) is key to achieving the maximum development of the human being. This stage comprises the most sensitive period for brain development and extends from pregnancy (during organogenesis), until 3 years after birth, when the greatest number of neural connections and circuits are formed and the maturation of the central nervous system gets completed.
Early childhood (birth to 8 years of age) is key to achieving a human being’s maximum developmental potential. This stage comprises the most sensitive period for brain development. This is the time of life when children's developmental potential is most susceptible to environmental stimuli and early experiences, which influence learning, health, behavior and, in the long term, adult social relationships and well-being.
Nutritional interventions are important in the development of young children. However, they are not enough on their own. They must be accompanied by responsive care in the context of early learning opportunities.
A paradigmatic example of adequate nutrition and responsive care is the feeding of human milk on demand to newborns and infants.
La primera infancia (desde el nacimiento hasta los 8 años) es clave para lograr el máximo potencial de desarrollo en el ser humano. Este es el momento de la vida en el que el potencial de desarrollo de los niños y las niñas es más susceptible a los estímulos del entorno y a las experiencias tempranas, que influyen sobre el aprendizaje, la salud, el comportamiento y, a largo plazo, en las relaciones sociales del adulto y su bienestar.
Nurturing care starts before birth, when mothers and other caregivers can start talking and singing to the foetus.
After birth, the baby can recognize the mother’s voice. Early bonding is facilitated by skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and the presence of a companion to support the baby mother. These also build the foundations for optimal nutrition, quality interactions and care.