Baby Brains - Genius in the Making or Tabula Rasa?

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Welcome to Hattennoki's blog/article series! I am Jaspreet Sethi, the author and founder of Hattennoki, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on brain science, learning, and development with all of you.

Prologue

Erica Komisar, psychoanalyst, parent coach, and author, said in an interview, “Kindergarten used to be about discovery, creativity, and play – a lost art in today’s world.” In agreement, I commented on a reel of the interview, “Completely agree!”

Now, if you're on social media, you're bound to receive comments that may or may not require a response. While some comments may warrant a reply, preserving my sanity has become indispensable to me after years of working in the field of human development.

However, when you follow your agreement with the statement, "We are failing children by pushing an agenda that makes them grow up sooner and sooner," and receive a response like, "Babies aren’t being born smarter…," you pause and reflect. Inevitably, you do respond.

There’s a short response you give, and then there’s the deeper, more thoughtful response you offer rehearsing in your mind. Moved by the comment, you decide to write an article on the subject. Here is that article:

The Influence of Environment on IQ and EQ

Imagine baby Matilda, born with an innate curiosity to learn and grow, stepping into a world shaped by a mix of influences. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, show little interest in her education; however, Matilda finds solace in the supportive environment of her school and community. At school, she is fortunate to have a teacher like Miss Honey, who not only recognizes her exceptional potential but also creates an environment where curiosity is encouraged, not stifled. Matilda’s community, too, values learning, with access to the school library and a culture of support, despite the challenges posed by those around her.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda – a story though fictional, beautifully illustrates the power of a nurturing environment in unlocking a child's potential. Despite her neglectful parents and the oppressive nature of Miss Trunchbull, it is the kindness and encouragement of Miss Honey that allow Matilda's incredible intellect to shine. In an environment where she is given the space to explore her mind freely, Matilda’s intelligence flourishes, far beyond the limitations imposed on her.

In Matilda’s environment, her brain – like any child’s – flourishes when given the opportunity to do so.

The idea that intelligence is solely determined by birth is a common misconception. While genetics may set certain parameters for a child’s cognitive abilities, research suggests that between 50-70% of cognitive development is shaped by environmental factors, including the relationships, resources, and opportunities a child has access to (Nisbett et al., 2012).

For Matilda, it was the unwavering support of Miss Honey, who encouraged her and gave her the freedom to think for herself, along with the abundance of books, that played a pivotal role in unlocking her true potential. These elements allowed her to thrive and expand her intellectual capabilities far beyond what her genetic blueprint alone might suggest. Had Miss Honey not been a part of the story, Matilda’s journey would have been vastly different, perhaps smothered by the oppressive forces around her.

The Role of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

A key aspect of this nurturing process in childhood is SEL. Research shows that when children learn to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and develop empathy, their overall cognitive development improves. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), SEL programs have been shown to increase academic performance by an average of 11 percentile points (Durlak et al., 2011). This highlights the critical link between emotional skills and intellectual growth.

The Importance of Play in Early Learning

In addition to emotional development, play is an essential component of early learning. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that play helps children develop important cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Play is not just a break from learning; it is the primary way young children understand the world, solve problems, and practice critical thinking. Here are some examples incorporated into my work at Hattennoki:

Math Through Play

Understanding Numbers and Counting: Activities such as building with blocks, playing number games, and using counting tools help children develop a solid grasp of numbers and basic math concepts. For example, children might engage in a "shopping" game, where they practice counting and adding items or their costs with pretend money.

Exploring Shapes and Patterns: Puzzles and pattern games allow children to explore geometry and symmetry. They might create their own composite shapes or patterns with tangram or pattern blocks or use shape sorters, strengthening their creativity and ability to recognize mathematical structures in their environment.

Measurement and Proportions: Playing with materials like measuring cups, sand, or water provides children with hands-on experience of size, volume, and ratios. For instance, children might experiment with pouring different amounts of liquid in different containers to understand measurement in a tangible way.

Reading Through Play

Vocabulary and Comprehension: Pretend play activities, such as setting up a "market," or “cooking” help expand children's vocabulary and deepen their understanding of language. These games encourage children to engage in real-life language use and develop social communication skills.

Phonics and Word Recognition: Phonological and phonemic awareness games, such as word scavenger hunts or letter-based activities, support children in learning letter sounds,  and sight words, laying a strong foundation for reading, speaking, spelling, comprehending, and writing.

Storytelling and Imagination: Through role-playing and storytelling, children practice sequencing events, expressing ideas, and creating narratives. These activities encourage creativity and develop early literacy skills, allowing children to explore their imagination.

Science Through Play

Cause and Effect: Simple experiments, such as playing with water or balancing objects, help children explore cause-and-effect relationships, building an understanding of scientific concepts.

Observation and Exploration: Nature walks, bug hunts, or observing plants and animals give children the chance to ask questions, make discoveries, and develop curiosity about the natural world.

Hands-On Investigations: Materials like magnets, sand, or simple machines are used to encourage experimentation. Children might build ramps or explore how different objects move, refining their scientific understanding through direct interaction.

Designing Through Play

Creative Problem-Solving: Building with Legos, creating simple machines, or designing green cities encourages children to think critically and solve problems creatively. For example, children might be challenged to create a bridge that can hold a certain weight using only blocks, promoting engineering and problem-solving skills.

Spatial Awareness: Activities such as drawing, constructing models, and manipulating objects help children develop spatial reasoning. By engaging in these activities, children learn about proportions, dimensions, and how objects fit together in space.

Innovative Thinking: Experimenting with materials like clay, paper, or recyclables helps develop innovation. Children might design a new invention or prototype, learning to iterate on their designs and think outside the box.

Technology Integration: Interactive play with Lego robotics, or building with programmable devices promotes logical thinking, planning, and a deeper understanding of STEM concepts.

Art Through Play

Creative Expression: Art activities such as drawing, painting, and sculpting allow children to express their thoughts and feelings creatively, nurturing emotional development alongside artistic skills.

Fine Motor Skills: Tasks such as cutting, drawing, and shaping with clay improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, essential for writing and other hands-on activities such as chopping vegetables or fruits, ball sports, ironing, or driving.

Exploration of Materials: Providing different art materials – paint, fabric, or clay – encourages children to experiment and discover textures, colors, and shapes, expanding their sensory and creative experiences.

Social Skills Through Play

Cooperation and Teamwork: Group play and cooperative games teach children how to share resources, take turns, work together, and communicate effectively in group settings. For example, children might collaborate on building a large structure using design and architectural principles reinforcing teamwork and communication.

Conflict Resolution: Unstructured play with peers helps children practice resolving conflicts and negotiating, building problem-solving skills in social situations.

Empathy and Understanding: Pretend play or role-playing activities help children explore different perspectives and recognize emotions in themselves and others, developing empathy and emotional intelligence.

These playful experiences help children engage with foundational concepts in a relatable way, setting the stage for prior knowledge activation in higher learning.

The Risks of Early Academic Pressure

It’s important to note that pushing children into rigorous numeracy and literacy instruction too early – counting, reading, and writing – before they’ve had the chance to develop these essential skills through play can actually be detrimental to their overall learning. Thus, play serves as an invitation to learn without pressure, assessments, or rigid expectations that don’t support child development, allowing children to explore, experiment, and discover at their own pace, sparking curiosity and creativity, while igniting a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.

Research suggests that early academic pressure can lead to:

• Anxiety

• Decreased motivation

• Lack of curiosity about learning (Pellegrini & Smith, 1998)

Creating an environment where children can engage in play and SEL first, followed by gradual academic instruction, is vital for their long-term success in any enterprise.

The Importance of Emotional and Social Development

Studies from the Harvard Center on the Developing Child show that early emotional and social experiences shape the brain’s architecture, which directly impacts a child's ability to learn and solve problems (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). Overemphasizing academic pressure too early can actually hinder both emotional and cognitive development. Instead, providing children with the emotional support they need cultivates a healthier learning environment where their intellectual abilities can truly flourish.

Summary

Thus, the environment we create for children – especially in terms of emotional support, play, and SEL – plays a crucial role in shaping their emotional well-being and intellectual abilities. The key is not to push them to "grow up" too quickly, but to provide the right balance of emotional growth, exploration through play, and instruction.

References

• Dahl, Roald. Matilda. Viking, 1988.

• Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405-432.

• Nisbett, R. E., et al. (2012). Intelligence and how to get it: Why schools and cultures count. W.W. Norton & Company.

• Pellegrini, A. D., & Smith, P. K. (1998). The development of play during the early years. In L. B. Schaffer (Ed.), The child in the family (pp. 156-181). Wiley.

• Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (2000). From neurons to neighborhoods: The science of early childhood development. National Academies Press.

• American Academy of Pediatrics (2018). The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058.

About the Author

Jaspreet has always been a deep thinker, a prolific writer, and a poet at heart. From an early age, she was drawn to the world of words, often expressing her thoughts and emotions through the written word. What started as personal journal entries, a safe space for her to process life’s complexities, has now evolved into published journals and thoughtful works that resonate with readers, audiences, and subscribers. Over the years, her writing has grown from intimate reflections into a powerful tool for sharing insights, sparking conversations, and inspiring others. The journey from those private musings to more formal publications is a testament to her growth as a person and her dedication to using words as a means of connection and expression.