Early Development and Learning

Dr. Emilie M. Storch, PhD

Personality forms largely by age 5 and cemented by age 15. Learning seems to peak between the ages of 3 and 10 but it continues throughout the lifetime. The brain is shaped the most during the first 10 years of life. Teaching music, languages, and other lifelong skills will be easier during these years.

Researchers believe that more neurons (fundamental functional cells of nervous tissue) go to parts of the brain where certain skills are being practiced. For example, if motor skills are emphasized during the child's early life, the part of the brain that deals with motor skills will have more neuronal activity as it is developing. So there is evidence that you can actually influence your child's physiology by presenting to the brain the things that you want him or her to emphasize.

Psychologically speaking, early training influences children to see the world in certain ways. We know that warm touches and positive caregivers allow the brain to take in the things around them more readily. So, if we choose to build a Biblical worldview regularly, pairing this with positive experiences, we are building the child's theory of the world in agreement with the Word of God as well as potentially physiologically influencing them for a love for the things of God.

Regarding learning styles, we know that all children learn differently: some by seeing, others by hearing and others by doing. If we add music to the learning process, we are dealing with another part of the brain entirely. When we teach God's Word and God's ways to all these senses and use music, we are increasing the probability that God's Word will stick in the hearts and minds of children.