High Quality Infant and Toddler Care: Supporting Children’s and Families’ Diverse Languages and Cultures

In the first few years of life, 95 percent of brain architecture is built. During this time, children’s experiences produce 1 million neural connections every second! These connections are the bricks and mortar of brain architecture. They are what make up the foundation for all learning and living that is to come.

As development takes place, the areas of the brain responsible for cognitive, emotional, and social capacities are inextricably intertwined. And when emotional well-being and social competence is attained, a strong foundation for emerging cognitive abilities is provided. The emotional and physical health, social skills, and cognitive-linguistic capacities that emerge in the early years are all important for future success and health in life – in school, in the workplace, and in the larger community.

In order for optimal development to take place during these critical first 3 years of life and beyond, educators of young children need to meet children where they are and foster their continued learning and development. This means caring for them in ways that respect the children’s and families’ diverse cultures, languages, lifestyles, preferences, abilities, learning styles, and needs. The Magical Years Early Childhood Center in Sunset Park – a socioeconomically and culturally/linguistically diverse neighborhood in southwest Brooklyn NY – exemplifies practices and policies that do this.

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High Quality Infant and Toddler Care: Supporting Children’s and Families’ Diverse Languages and Cultures