The Magic of Your Child’s First Five Years at HEI Schools

Ms. Karoliina Nygren is teaching students at HEI Schools Saigon Central

According to studies from Harvard's Center on the Developing Child, the quality of early experiences, particularly interactions with adults, plays a significant role in how a child's brain circuits are formed.

Key studies are:

• The Science of Early Childhood Development (2007): It explores how early experiences affect brain development, emphasizing the importance of supportive environments in fostering healthy development.

• From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts (2016) and Three Principles to Improve Outcomes for Children and Families (2017), which delve deeper into the importance of early childhood experiences and their long-term effects on brain architecture and development.

Rich, engaging environments stimulate brain development, while stress can have negative long-term effects. This makes supportive, enriching care more important than ever. 

A lot happens during your child’s first five years! From their first roll to running around, and from babbling "mama" to speaking in full sentences—your little one is growing fast.

But what you might not see is what’s happening in their brain—over 1 million new neural connections are forming every second.

“So, what does that mean? Recent brain research tells us that children are born ready to learn. During the first five years, your child’s brain grows faster than at any other time in their life. It’s during this period that their brain is most open to learning, making it the perfect time for shaping skills that will help them academically, emotionally, physically, and socially” - Ms. Karoliina Nygren - Head of Pedagogy and Curriculum at HEI Schools.

Simply put, learning has never been, and will never be, as easy as it is during these early years.

The Science Behind Early Development:

Ms. Paula Hoppu is teaching students at HEI Schools Saigon Central

Brain development in these years is driven by three key things: genetics, environment, and experiences.

1. Genetics: Think of your child’s genes as seeds. Just like a sunflower seed won’t turn into an apple tree, your child’s genes set the foundation for their development. But the environment acts like soil—if the soil is poor and the seed isn’t watered, it won’t grow well. Similarly, for children to thrive, they need a rich environment filled with love and support.

2. Environment: Safe, loving relationships with caregivers—whether it’s family or teachers—are essential. These bonds make children feel secure and help them understand the world. A consistent routine also helps, as children do best when their days are predictable and filled with nurturing experiences.

3. Experiences: Children learn best through play! Their natural curiosity drives them to explore, and every game they play helps build skills in problem-solving, creativity, and social interaction. Whether it’s building with blocks or making up games, every activity shapes their future abilities.

   
   

The first five years are a unique window for growth and learning, setting the stage for everything that follows.