EARLY STIMULATION

It is also known as timely stimulation and its objective is to give the child a broad array of experiences, which will serve as a channel in which learning develops. The intention of early or timely stimulation is not to pressure or push the child forward in order to develop abilities or knowledge, rather, its intention is to optimize development; it is based on the belief that all learning is based on previous experience; as such, the goal is to provide children with these previous experiences which will ensure the most meaningful learning.

Early stimulation should begin spontaneously at home. Contact between mother and child from the time of birth is fundamental, because it gives the child many experiences that are very important for his or her knowledge of the world. Four months is considered to be the appropriate age at which to begin early stimulation, since prior to that the child is adapting to his or her home, the people around him or her and the world in general.

It is important that this stimulation follow an order that is coherent with the child’s development, beginning at home, becoming familiar with his or her space, the people around him or her, his or her pets and toys. In time, stimulation can begin outside the home.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY STIMULATION

From before birth children make neuronal connections, this is known as sinapsis. This connection process continues until the child is six or seven years old, and after that, no more such circuits will be created. It is for that reason that we must take advantage of this moment in order to achieve the most connections possible through stimulation, so that in the future the circuits can regenerate and allow the child to acquire new knowledge.