The experiences you have at a very young age have little impact on later development. Early experiences have a decisive impact on the architecture of the brain and the nature and extent of adult capacities. A secure relationship with a primary caregiver creates a favorable context for early childhood development and learning. A toddler's brain is much less active than the brain of a college student. By the time children reach the age of three, their brains are twice as active as those of adults.
Activity drops during adolescence.
Sharing books with children not only lays the groundwork for much of the language and critical thinking skills they will need later in life, it also helps prepare them for many of the emotional challenges all people eventually face. It is well documented, for example, that many children who lose language due to a stroke at a young age often recover the ability to speak because the young inventive brain is able to shift this function to another area. Afterwards she lost all control of muscles on the left side of her body, the side controlled by the right side of her brain. It's a dance. The key, then, is for families, teachers, and communities to work together and start reading to children early.