0-3 years old is the most important period of the beginning of life, and is the period of the fastest brain development. The average weight of the brain is about 350 grams at birth, which is about 25% of the weight of the adult brain, and by 9 months it is more than twice as large as at birth, more than three times as large by 3 years of age, and up to 90% of the human brain by 6 years of age. Most of the neuronal proliferation in the brain continues after the first 3-6 months of gestation until 1 year of age after birth. The proliferation of glial cells, which maintain the nutrition and conduction of neurons, continues from late gestation to 2 years of age. The dendritic growth and myelin formation of neurons are very rapid in the first two years of life. Therefore, good parenting stimulation has an important impact on brain function and structure, both physiologically and biochemically, until 2-3 years of age.
First and foremost, parents should have the ability to recognize signals of abnormal neurodevelopment in children. The following are signs of abnormal neurodevelopment in children aged 0-1 years.
0-3 months
1. The child has little or too much natural activity.
2. Movement always occurs suddenly, not fluidly but rigidly.
3.Head turns to one side and stretches backward in supine position.
4.The head is not raised in the prone position, but the hips are tilted up.
5.Gaze does not follow moving objects.
6.Does not look at each other with parents.
7.Does not smile when teased at 3 months of age.
7-9 Months
1.Can’t sit alone in 7-8 months.
2.Can’t crawl in 8-9 months.
3.Can’t grasp things actively with hands.
4.Can’t distinguish between acquaintances and strangers.
5.Can’t unconsciously pronounce two syllables like mama and dada.
10-12 months
1.Can’t stand and walk by holding up.
2.Can’t pinch small objects with the thumb and index finger.
3.Can’t understand simple words.
4.Does not recognize common household items, such as lamps and bottles.
Early parenting activities from 0-3 years old are the cornerstone of promoting lifelong development. Only early detection of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in children and intervention during the sensitive period of neurodevelopment can establish a good start for a good life.