The early years of a child’s brain development are crucial, laying the foundation for future learning and health. In this article we would like to uncover the vital role of a positive environment (epigenetic impact) on early childhood development.
A positive and happy environment affects our brain chemistry by producing hormones which allows us to feel happy and in long term, affect the selection of genes which allows this positive trait to be dominant. Try taking this idea and apply it on a growing child with an actively growing brain.
Early environment experience sculpts the construction of the brain and endocrine system because the physiological changes of what they experienced can affect the chemistry of gene coding. This epigenetic changes which affects gene regulation can last for a lifetime and even beyond a generation.
This idea came about when researchers noticed the phenomenon of nurture in rats. They noticed that some rat moms extensively licked and groomed their pups, while others are less attentive. Pups that received attention during the first week of life grew up to be calm when placed in stressful situation while those that were ignored grew up to be anxious and were more prone to diseases.
During a stress response, glucocorticoid hormones are released. This increases heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose level and causes mood swing. As a result, our heart beat starts racing, blood pressure raised, muscles all tensed up and sometimes compromising our critical thinking ability.
It was found that pups who had more attention in their early life tend to cope better with stress at a physiological level. These pups were found to have more brain receptors for glucocorticoid, which provide a feedback mechanism that shut down excess hormone production. Human stress chemistry is similar to that of rats.
Human studies on the other hand have shown the connection between highly stressful environment and experience could potentially increase the risk of mental and physical illnesses in later days. The stress response from our body and mind over a long period of time could increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma and depression.
Nurturing doesn't demand extravagant resources and all children yearn meaningful connections. They want to build connections through play and conversation. Simple acts like frequent hugs, playful conversations, and a safe environment can work wonders for a child's mind and body
Our children have every right to experience a happy and safe environment for they did not choose to be born, we choose to have them.
Interesting read on the rat study:
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