And he said he's uncomfortable with statements that imply that if a child doesn't get the perfect mental start before age 5, then he or she is out of luck. That, Nelson said, gives the mistaken impression that the degree of the brain's development is set for life by kindergarten. Also, while life experiences of babies and toddlers do affect the organization of their brains, scientists still don't know which of those changes are permanent or long-lasting. But it's clear that many are not, according to Nelson. The University of Minnesota 's Institute of Child Development, where he works, is a hub of research on child development from different perspectives and in a variety of disciplines, including behavioral science.
Strong attachments form when a parent is available, sensitive and responsive.
This tells the child that his or her needs will be met and leads to a sense of security. Egeland found that a child's relationship with his mother at age 1 predicted whether the child would develop behavior problems and stable relationships later. Because this attachment theory is so well established by the Minnesota study and others, scientists such as Allan Schore of the University of California-Los Angeles theorize that developing an attachment actually builds the orbitofrontal cortex of the brain. That area of the brain helps regulate or control emotions and finishes maturing at about 18 months of age. Human studies still need to be done, he said.