Research has shown that the early experiences of a child may affect the nature and quality of the brain’s developing architecture by determining which circuits are reinforced and which are pruned through lack of use. A key factor in this process is the “serve and return” relationship between children and their caregivers. If these responses are absent, unreliable or inappropriate, the brain’s architecture does not form as expected, and this can lead to disparities in learning and behaviour. These early disparities can have an adverse effect on children’s lifelong outcomes.

Source: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University.(2017 a). Brain Architecture.

KidSTART provides additional support for children from low-income families by walking alongside parents – creating awareness of the importance of the early years, providing the knowledge, skills and resources to optimise child health and development, and to encourage and support them to be their children’s role models in an on-going and lifelong parenting journey.

All children go through a process of development that can be observed. The early years of a child's life is critical for his/her development. Although children develop differently at their own pace, there are developmental milestones that most children would reach by certain ages. Child development covers the full scope of skills that a child masters throughout their childhood.

Social Development
How children relate and get along with and interact with others

Emotional Development
How children relate to having and dealing with feelings and emotions

Language/Communication
How children express their needs and share what they are thinking as well as what is said to them

Cognitive (Learning, Thinking, Problem Solving)
How children learn new things and solve problems. It includes how children explore, learn and understand the world around them- discovering and investigating how things work around them.

Physical Development
How children move their bodies that involves gross motor skills (using large muscles) and fine motor (using small muscles)
Developmental domains of child development are interdependent. Development in one domain influences and is influenced by the development in the other domains. Parents and early childhood educators play an important role in supporting children’s holistic development.

KidSTART provides additional support for children from low-income families by walking alongside parents – creating an awareness of the importance of the early years and providing them with the knowledge, skills and resources to optimise their child’s health and development. We support and encourage parents to be their children’s role models throughout their lifelong parenting journey.