The path from child to adult is one we all made, of course, but because of what we have learned over decades of research, that path can be made even more successful for a child today.
A child’s development in the early years, usually up to age five or six, can make a huge difference in their later lives.
It is estimated that about half of adult health is programmed from the time of conception to around two years of age, and that most development paths are set by age three. Moreover, the higher the number of risk factors experienced by children in that short period, the higher the chance that they will have developmental problems later in life.
Genes are the main drivers of early brain development, but environment influences some of the gene activity. The chemical signatures imprinted on genes during fetal and infant development affect brain architecture that can last a lifetime. Studies have linked risk factors in the early years to mental health and addictions issues, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases in adulthood.
There are myriad risk factors affecting the early development of children. Among these are the child’s ill health, poor nutrition, physical or mental disabilities, and cognitive impairments due to minimal cognitive stimulation, neglect or abuse. Family risk factors include poverty or unemployment of parents, illiteracy of parents, poor family health, the physical environment of the home, availability of toys and books, and basic hygiene.
Interventions can be made during the early years to help improve a child’s chances. They can be categorized into three main realms: relationships, environment, and nutrition.
A child grows and develops best when she has a responsive and nurturing parent-child relationship. In particular, that with the mother is the most powerful influence on his early brain development over the first two years of life. This realm includes issues such as parenting skills, the emotional functioning of caregivers, and parental use of drugs and alcohol.
Having a safe and stimulating environment is also crucial to early childhood development. This includes physical, chemical and built environments such as air quality, maternal use of alcohol and drugs that change the environment of the womb and healthy homes and communities that prevent injuries and stimulate play. Also linked are socio-economic conditions: young children living in persistent poverty experience levels of stress and anxiety that has a significant impact on their development.
Nutrition rounds out the three realms for intervention. A mother’s diet during pregnancy and what infants are fed can cause critical changes that stick with children into adulthood.
There are multiple interventions that can help a child to develop into a healthy and competent adult. Many of these are in place in every health authority region. Among the many programs and services offered by Vancouver Coastal Health are support and information during pregnancy, infant hearing screening, home visits and follow-up.
Research clearly supports investing in the early years as a successful method for reducing social, personal and health problems down the road. It is simply a matter of spending now, or spending a great deal more later.
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
