The importance of early stimulation in the cognitive development of children

Stimulating children’s cognitive and neuronal development appropriately is one of the main concerns for parents today, since various studies have shown that the first years of life are crucial for their brain development. According to a study by the NGO Educo, up to 90% of neuronal connections are formed during this stage.

(Read: During 2023, academic enrollment in Colombia decreased by 1.9%).

However, most parents do not know how to properly stimulate their children in this critical phase, which according to Unicef, in addition to affecting their cognitive development, also impedes their correct physical and emotional development. Faced with this need, a Colombian school has become a pioneer in creating an early stimulation program for children from 8 months, in which they also train parents on how to promote said neuronal and cognitive development of children at home.

Marcela Agudelo, director of admissions at the Vermont School in Medellin, the school that created this innovative program, better known as “Early Steps” either “First steps”, points out that during the first years of life, a child’s brain is very malleable, which is known as brain plasticity. This plasticity allows neurons to establish connections at high speed, creating a neural network that will be the basis for learning and development in all areas..

(See: The overall score of the Saber 11 tests increased by 2.4 points during 2023).

“It is at this stage that children are most receptive to experiences and stimuli that will shape their ability to learn and adapt. That is why we decided to launch this semi-personalized program, in which we seek to stimulate motor skills, gross motor skills, and spatial relationships. We do this through different activities that range from muscle strengthening exercises to sensory games, all with the accompaniment of parents,” Agudelo points out.

She adds that this program was designed by a team of experts in neurodevelopment and sensory occupational therapy, who will share with parents key insights and strategies to understand and support children’s cognitive development throughout the workshop. The program’s activities include a combination of physical exercises, sensory games and cognitive stimulation activities, all designed to promote the development of motor, language and social skills. Each session is supervised by trained professionals, who adjust the activities according to the individual needs of each child..

“In addition to stimulating children, we also want to empower parents through informative talks and educational resources so that they can continue to support their child’s cognitive development at home, strengthening the bond between parents and children and ensuring continuity in learning.”adds the admissions director of the Vermont School in Medellín.

This innovative program is carried out in weekly cycles in which children achieve their evolution over the duration of the project. In addition, the educational institution has implemented various globally certified programs such as the emotional intelligence program, RULER, or the international curriculum, Highscope, which seek to promote the understanding of emotions, safety and active learning.

Through these programs, The Vermont School of Medellin hopes to contribute to the comprehensive development of Colombian children from an early age, implementing these international programs as the child grows in the school environment, allowing each one to have the opportunity to reach their full potential..