Why is early intervention so important?
I’ve had many parents come to me, asking whether their child will simply grow out of their current challenges. Whether it’s behaviour, difficulty speaking, struggles with toileting, or difficutlties with writing, many wonder if time alone will solve these issues.
However, it is a common misconception that often lead to more challenges down the road. As children grow, the demands of their daily lives and academic workloads increase. If challenges are already evident in the early years, it creates a weaker foundation upon which they’ll build. And that foundation is so critical to their development.
Think about building a house. To construct a strong wall, you need a solid foundation. If that foundation has weaknesses or vulnerabilities, the wall may not be as stable and could struggle to withstand life’s inevitable challenges and changes.
Similiarly, the foundation on which our little ones develop needs to be strong. This foundation begins forming before birth. Every milestone your little one reaches strengthens their foundation – each milestone is like another brick laid.
Research undersores the importance of the first 1000 days of life – this period starts from conception and extends untill your little one turns two years old. During this time, the brain undergoes rapid growth, laying much fountation for future development. Bricks are laid when your child rolls over for the first time, crawls, speaks their first words, and so on. Each milestone is another step towards a stronger foundation. As your child grows, their development becomes more complex. Bricks are added when they begin mastering skills, like using both hands and feet in a coordinated manner – like when they learn to ride a bicycle. These early skills lay the groundwork for later milestones such as learning to count, read and write.
When we notice that our little ones are struggling at a younger age, it’s important to investigate why. There might be place in their foundation – one particular “brick” – that didn’t fully develop. This is when early intervention becomes crucial. With the right support, we can help strengthen these foundational areas, so that they can flourish in every aspect of life.
In this series of blogs, Tiny Thoughts, I will be exploring various aspects of child development and offering practical insights on how to best support our little ones along the way.
Follow along for more!
Izzy
