At birth, an infant’s brain is only 25 percent of the size of an average adult’s brain. Incredibly, by age 3, a child’s brain has grown to 90 percent of that an adult's brain. During infancy and early childhood, children are flooded with new experiences that impact their brain development. The first 3 years of a child’s life offer parents an amazing opportunity to shape their child’s growth and form healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
FIRST 5 Santa Clara County promotes these following tips for the healthy development of all children prenatal through age 5.
1. Encourage Interaction
A child’s brain develops based on early experiences at home. The more interactions a child has, the healthier his/her development will be.
What Can Parents Do?Respond quickly to your child’s needs
Speak in a soft, slow voice
Get down to your child’s level; involve yourself in your child’s play
Engage your child in conversation
Be present in your child’s life
2. Offer Physical Affection
Physical affection communicates love to young children, which in turn fosters positive emotional growth.
What Can Parents Do?Be gentle and responsive to your baby’s cues
Massage your infant
Hold your child when feeding him/her
Rock your baby and look into his/her eyes
Hold your child on your lap when playing or reading
Hug your child often
3. Provide a Stable Relationship
Children who have a stable relationship with at least one caregiver learn at a faster pace, feel better about themselves, and make friends more easily.
What Can Parents Do?Hold your child on your lap during stressful situations, such as a doctor’s visit
Be a loving, consistent presence for your child
Create an environment that allows your child to explore, but set limits to show both guidance and care
Be predictable, nurturing and calm when interacting with your child
4. Maintain a Safe, Healthy Home
Creating a safe and healthy home environment allows you to maximize your child’s growth with minimal risk.
What Can Parents Do?Child proof your home
Use age-appropriate car seats
Be aware of the dangers of lead poisoning found in old paint chips and paint dust
Feed your child a healthy, nutritious diet and avoid high-fat foods
Visit your child’s physician and dentist regularly
Ensure your child is up to date on immunizations
Encourage outdoor play and exercise
5. Develop Strong Self Esteem
A strong sense of self is the foundation for healthy development in young children.
What Can Parents Do?Recognize and celebrate that every child is unique from birth
Discover who your child is and value his/her identity
Encourage your child to express himself/herself
Praise your child with concrete positive feedback
Respect your child and teach him/her to respect himself/herself and others
6. Engage in Conversation
Communicating with your child not only shows love, but also encourages the development of his/her speech patterns.
What Can Parents Do?Talk to your baby, early and often
Sing to and with your child
Use a broad vocabulary to expose your child to many different words
Engage your child in conversation
Read aloud to your child and ask questions of him/her
7. Make Music
Music offers children an outlet for expression and stimulates brain development in specific areas including language and reasoning.
What Can Parents Do?Involve your child in music
Sing, clap, rock, dance, tap your feet together with your child
Encourage your child to make his/her own music using household items
Play music in your home and encourage your child to sing and dance
8. Make Reading a Priority
Reading with children demonstrates a love for books and learning, and is a wonderful way for parents and children to spend quality time together.
What Can Parents Do?Read to your child everyday
When you read to your child, hold him/her on your lap
Point to pictures and ask questions
Repeat the same book to help your child make the connection between the written page and the spoken word
Write down a story your child tells you – show them their words in writing
9. Promote Play
Playing provides children with an outlet for imagination and creativity and fosters healthy brain development.
What Can Parents Do?Be your child’s playmate, engage in their play
Encourage play by using everyday household items in creative ways
Get to know your child through play

The link http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.first5kids.org/parenting/tips_10&sa=U&ei=N1GpVNnUBMrHPeDBgNgP&ved=0CBoQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNFFer41-oBUSr_mbewds05CjqUpmw

10. Choose Quality Childcare
Since childcare settings can be a primary learning environment for children, the quality of the child care setting is very important
What Can Parents Do?Take an active role in selecting the best childcare for your child
Visit the childcare center with your child to determine your child’s comfort level
Ask yourself these questions when selecting childcare:
Is it a safe, supportive environment?
Do they serve nutritious food?
Do the childcare providers appear to enjoy interacting with the children?
What are the ratios of caregivers to children? Look for the following ratios: 1 caregiver: 3 - 4 children (ages 0 - 3)
Do the adults speak respectfully to the children and encourage them to express their thoughts and feelings?
Are the adults down on the floor playing with the children?
Does the center welcome parental involvement?
Do the children appear happy? 
The first 3 years of life are the most critical in terms of encouraging healthy development. It is important for parents to start as soon as possible to build the foundation that will help their children reach their full potential.
The good news is that what every child needs, every parent can give. If we care for our children and give them what they need early in life, their future will be full of possibilities.

story for the gods of my village. lemme tell u, infants of nowadays now have more than 85% of an adult's brain. before, kids knew nothing about blue film but nowadays, an infant of 3yrs can sit u down and give u a clear analysis about sex...so my guy, chill. fear children of diz daiz o.

@eminentme it depends on how you train the child

GODWINGODSON:
@eminentme it depends on how you train the child

yes but how can u train a 2yr old child who already had d mindset of a 32 year old man

Most important: know dier constitutional right

You are getting it wrong bro the bible says train a child in the way that he should grow and when he grows he won't depart from it if that 2year old was trained in a good way then he shall be no problem for his parents........bro you won make me miss training o 4 don reach ma go play ball when I come back we go continue talk

Most importantly, know dier constitutional right

eminentme:
yes but how can u train a 2yr old child who already had d mindset of a 32 year old man

That one nah BABATUNDE ooo baba don die cum back!!!

Little children be acting like there are the only once in the world.

THE POSITIVE PRESENCE OF A FATHER!

African men. . . .take note!