"The first years last forever," experts advise parents. Modern imaging techniques show how early experiences have long-term consequences by helping to determine the actual structure of a child's brain. It's as if what happens in early childhood is written on stone, as compared to later experiences, which might be likened to tracings in the sand, or even writing on water, as we get older.
While you, as a parent, might welcome expert confirmation that the enriched environment you provide will have a lasting influence on your child's future, you might also be feeling a bit intimidated by the heavy responsibility. The following simple guidelines will help reassure you that you are up to the job...and you don't need a degree in child psychology or a toy store in your basement!
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