Human brains start developing before birth, with most of their structure shaped by age five.
Early childhood experiences—whether positive or negative—play a key role in brain development,
directly impacting a child’s ability to learn and thrive throughout life.
 
Key Milestones in Brain Development

• A few weeks after conception: A wave of neurons (brain cells) begins forming and migrating to different areas of the brain. 

• By 20 weeks of pregnancy: Synapses—connections between neurons—start forming.

• At birth:  The brain, about a quarter of the size of an average adult brain, already contains almost all the neurons it will ever have—about 86 billion.

• Within the first year: The brain doubles in size.

• By age 3: The brain reaches 80% of its adult volume.

• By age 5: 90% of brain development is complete.

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Synapse Formation and Pruning

• At birth, neurons are connected by approximately 50 trillion synapses (neural connections).

• ​From birth to age 3, brain activity is extremely high—up to one million new neural connections form every second!

• By age 3, the brain contains about 1,000 trillion synaptic connections—many more than needed, and twice as many as an adult brain.

• As childhood and adolescence progress, the brain prunes excess synapses, improving efficiency.

The Role of Experience in Brain Development

• Daily interactions with parents and caregivers determine which brain connections form, which are pruned, and which are reinforced for lifelong development.

• The amount and quality of care, stimulation, and interaction a child receives during early years have a significant impact on brain development.

• A child’s environment and everyday experiences, such as using their senses to explore and engage with their surroundings, influence brain structure by shaping synapses and neuronal circuits.

 
Environmental Influence and Epigenetics

• Life experiences can even affect gene expression through epigenetics—a process where behavior and the environment alter how genes function. Some genes are switched off, while others become more active, adjusting to environmental conditions.

• Identical twins, despite having the same DNA, develop distinct epigenetic markers from birth, which continue to change over time as they interact with unique environments. 

• So, while genes play an essential role in brain development, environmental factors are also critical.

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Final Thoughts
The experiences children have in their early years shape their brains and lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning, well-being, and success. Children rely on parents, family members, and caregivers as their first teachers, helping them develop the skills needed to grow into independent, healthy, and thriving individuals. We teach Positive Parenting skills and strategies to nurture a positive parent-child relationship that includes caring, teaching, leading, communicating, and providing for the needs of a child consistently and unconditionally. We also provide talks by experts in nutrition, literacy, and so much more. As the most influential figures in a child’s brain development, parents play a vital role in guiding their future. At 5 Steps to Five, our mission is to be a trusted partner for parents striving to give their children the best possible start in school and life. We encourage parents to create a nurturing, stimulating environment that fosters brain development and sets children on a positive path toward lifelong success and fulfillment.

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We all know that it matters how we treat our children,

but it matters more than we knew even a few decades ago.

Little brains wire themselves to their world.

It’s up to us to create that world … to grow those brains healthy and whole.

- Lisa Feldman Barrett, Ph.D.