The foundation of the brain creates the foundation for the rest of a child’s life. Understanding the brain and how it develops gives us insight into how we can have a positive impact in pediatric development. When we contribute to brain development, we are expanding pediatric potential, capabilities, and helping children to blossom into their authentic selves to contribute amazing things to this world!
Development occurs in a hierarchical order, where each stage builds upon the previous one. Every milestone and skill learned creates a foundation for the next, ensuring that each developmental step is supported and strengthened for optimal growth.
The brain is like a vast network of pathways that intersect, allowing a child to use multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. This process is known as brain integration. When there is a roadblock or disruption in any part of this network, it can impact multiple brain areas, affecting the child's overall development, functioning, and emotional state.
Around 80-90% of the information we process is visual, and vision connects to approximately 80% of the central nervous system. The visual system cross-wires with multiple sensory & motor systems, acting as the integrator of all sensory processing & motor development. This makes vision a crucial component in how we understand, interact with, and respond to the world around us.
