Brain Connections and Early Interventions

Tonight I went to a lecture presented by Dr. Jack Shonkoff. In his presentation, he discussed the process of proliferation of connections in the brain and pruning. His point here was that if children aren't exposed to certain experiences early in life (being read to and talked to), they won't have a strong foundation to support later development. He emphasized that the sensitive periods in the first five years of life are extremely important for how a person will function in adulthood, and what they will bring to society. Dr. Shonkoff suggested that we have a breakthrough in technique and ideas to help children in their very early years with mental health issues. He proposed that it would be more efficient for society and the economy if we start treatments and programs at this age, rather than spending most of our time and money with counseling in the teen and adult years, juvenile detention centers, and jails and prisons. When he suggested this, it just seemed to make sense to me. Especially the point he made that if we take charge of children's mental health in the early years, then we would have less crime and more productive citizens contributing to society.
I enjoyed this lecture a lot. I felt that Dr. Shonkoff was right on target when he suggested early interventions. We learn time and time again about sensitive periods in child development, but now it is up to us to do something important and helpful in the field. But what can be done right now? From experience I know that trying to reason with a two year old is next to impossible, but I have the belief that it can be done. We need to intervene and help relieve some of the stress that low income children experience, we need to make sure that all children have the opportunity to be in programs that stimulate all areas of development, we need to teach families how to be positive role models for each other, we need to step in and we need to do it now. Future generations are counting on us. I am counting on us.