Maximise your baby’s learning potential

As a parent, you always want to make sure that you give your children the best possible start in life.

The early years of a child’s life are critical for future learning. Do you know that the latest Harvard research indicates that between birth and four years of age, brain development is at its optimum function?

Why then, are we not taking advantage of this period? Maybe the question is rather, how do we take advantage of this period?

The window of opportunity

“At BrainBoosters we capitalise on the first four years of a baby’s life. We call this period “the window of opportunity” – during this period, babies are able to absorb information, making all learning effortless, “says BrainBoosters Co-founder and Head of Product Development, Karina Strydom.

Colours, shapes and numbers

The BrainBoosters methodology is focused on introducing concepts such as colours, shapes and numbers to children from the time they are born. “Our methodology is based on introducing colours, shapes and numbers in isolation. Our parenting programme allows parents to interact with their children, while teaching these important concepts, “says Karina.

According to The Scientific American Mind, children who learn their colours, shapes and numbers earlier tend to do better at school.  “Colours, shapes and numbers are all around us. These concepts form part of a vital foundation that is needed in order for future learning to take place, “says Karina.

What is so special about these concepts? Why are they important for kids to learn? According to research, colour is not in itself a mathematical concept, but is used in activities such as sorting, matching, grouping and classifying. The ability to recognise and discern the difference between shapes is necessary to see physical differences between objects.

“We teach children ten shapes with our method. Recognising the difference between a hexagon and a pentagon will help children to distinguish between a “b” and a “d” and a “6 “and a “9”,” says Karina.

A simple process centred on play

This might seem really complicated to teach to a baby, but it really is a very simple process. “All our programmes are centred on play. We believe that learning is child’s play and have created products and activities that facilitate active engagement between parent and child, while important concepts are being learnt” says Karina.

For more information on Brain Boosters, visit: www.brainboosters.co.za

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