The First 1000 Days

The ‘First 1,001 Days’  refers to the period from conception to a child’s second birthday, a time of rapid growth and brain development. Research describes this is a “window of opportunity,” with leading experts emphasising that the experiences a child has and quality of the care they receive during this early time in their lives has a significant impact on their future development, overall health, and emotional well-being across their life.

By the age of two, a child’s brain is already 80% developed and has been making around one million new connections every second!

Here are some fascinating baby brain facts.

Babies are completely reliant on their parent and carers, and later development is heavily influenced by the loving attachment babies have to them. These 1,001 days are also a critical period for developing communication, social and physical skills. Babies need to be encouraged and supported by their parents and carers to learn these skills. Some of the most important experiences that will shape a baby’s brain come from their interactions with significant adults in their lives.

The emotional health and physical wellbeing, social skills, cognitive and language development in the 1,001 critical days, form the foundations for a child’s success in school and in later life. These develop best when a baby has at least one stable and secure attachment with their main carer, so they feel safe and secure. It’s this relationship that supports positive early development.

If you would like to find out more about the first 1001 days and your role as a parent in shaping your baby’s brain on the Parent-Infant Foundation website.