How Children Learn

From: Joan Schmitt
Email: jschmitt@auntmarthas.org
Date: February 15, 2006

Comments

Hi Nina - I'm also a student in NLU's Early Childhood Administration on-line program. I've enjoyed reading materials from your Mind in the Making web site and have shared some of the "Learning on the Go" tips with parents.

My question comes from Dr. Ed Tronick's quote in What is Early Learning, "Children, like adults, need quiet, "hang around" times, and active times to explore, reflect, imagine and learn." I'm a first-time grandma with a four-month-old grandson. Although his parents spend lots of time talking, reading, and engaging directly with him, most of his new "toys" have flashing lights and lively sounds. Also, with a big-screen TV in the family room, it's almost impossible for him to avoid the action of the TV. What can you tell us about the impact of all that activity on a baby's developing brain?

Thanks - Joan