Understanding neurodevelopment to improve teaching and parenting

September marks the beginning of a new school year, a time filled with expectations and opportunities for both parents and professionals who work with developing children.

After a relaxing break, a time to reset, learn, observe, and reflect, it’s the perfect moment to think about how to apply those little tricks that will enhance teaching and parenting. One of the keys to achieving this is understanding the neurodevelopment of our children. By understanding them from the inside, we are more likely to support them and provide what they need at the right time.

Many might say, “Here they go again with neurodevelopment…” And yes, here we are once more with the topic. But what exactly is neurodevelopment? And why is it so important that it keeps coming up?

Neurodevelopment is simply the process by which the brain and nervous system develop and mature from birth to adulthood. This process includes the formation of neural connections, the myelination of nerve fibres, and the refinement of these connections and brain networks. Every person goes through specific stages of motor, sensory, cognitive, emotional, and social development. Understanding these stages can help us adapt our strategies to support and stimulate learning while respecting the needs of each moment.

For example, pre-schoolers are developing motor and language skills, while school-aged children are more focused on cognitive skills that enable them to learn reading and mathematical reasoning. If we know these stages through which children progress, it will be easier for professionals to design activities aligned with their level and what they are prepared to achieve at that time. For parents, it will be easier to effectively and meaningfully support this learning, ensuring that the lessons are lasting and meaningful. Not to mention the importance of building a positive self-image and strong internal reinforcement without having to negotiate constantly.

When adults—whether professionals or parents—understand these stages, we create safe and stimulating learning environments. In other words, appropriate spaces for learning, which in turn stimulates greater cognitive and emotional development.

And of course, as with everything—and I’m sure you’ve read this in several articles here—the challenge is finding balance. Not too much, not too little. The “Right Challenge” is the key to strengthening neural connections and enhancing learning capacity. This includes providing varied materials, encouraging exploration and play, creating an emotionally safe environment where children feel supported and valued, listening with our whole body to what the child is communicating through their actions, and giving full attention and genuine support.

This doesn’t mean taking the typical approach of “each child learns at their own pace, so let them mature on their own.” What I mean is that we need to identify the strengths and areas for improvement for each of these children. Only then can we adapt to individual needs (and if, in this part of the process, we realize that we need to seek help, that’s wonderful because we are addressing the need).

Here are some characteristics of each stage to start considering and to observe with more awareness:

Early Childhood:

Emotional: Brain development in the early years is deeply influenced by close and secure relationships with the adults around them. This provides a secure base from which children can explore the world and develop autonomy.
Playful: Play is fundamental to brain development. Through play, children practice motor skills, develop language, and learn to resolve conflicts. Providing a rich environment with opportunities for play, allowing them to explore freely, and offering toys and activities that challenge their imagination and creativity is a powerful stimulant.
Need for Routines and Boundaries: Clear routines and boundaries provide structure and security, which are essential for emotional and cognitive development. Children thrive in environments where they know what to expect and feel safe. Therefore, establishing clear schedules, start and end times for activities, expectations, boundaries, and consequences is essential for learning and overall development. And, of course, it’s important to be consistent with expectations and consequences (sometimes we slip up on this point).

Primary School Age:

Cognitive: Children at this stage begin to develop increasingly complex skills, such as logic, planning, and conflict resolution. Their ability to maintain attention improves significantly. Introducing challenges that promote critical thinking and reasoning, such as strategy games and research projects, motivates them toward learning.
Social: This aspect becomes increasingly important at this stage. It’s no longer just the family that is present in their emotional and personal development. At this age, children begin to cooperate with peers and understand concepts like friendship and empathy. They also start to differentiate between right and wrong based on rules and consequences. Organizing group activities that require collaboration and communication reinforces their understanding of these essential life concepts.

Adolescence:

Abstract Thinking: Adolescents develop the ability to think abstractly and critically. They handle complex concepts and theories, which allows them to explore learning from a different perspective. Engaging them in debates and discussions on complex and current topics, encouraging critical analysis and the expression of well-founded opinions, provides reasoning tools that will be useful for life, while also motivating learning and sparking curiosity.
Autonomy: The search for identity becomes central at this stage. Offering a safe and supportive environment where they can explore different aspects of their identity without judgment encourages them to learn, explore, and be self-critical in a safe way.
Emotional: We all know that emotions can be intense and variable at this stage. Teaching emotional regulation techniques and offering guidance and support in managing relationships is also important for fostering the development of secure, autonomous, and healthy individuals. Moreover, when adolescents achieve some emotional stability and feel supported, they are more receptive to learning in general.

The goal of this article is to raise awareness—and why not, spark a debate—about the foundations of learning. Understanding neurodevelopment and the characteristics of learning at each stage is essential not only for providing quality education but also for supporting their growth in a holistic manner.

Applying strategies adapted to each stage of development allows us to support our children, preparing them to face future challenges with confidence and solid skills, ensuring that each child reaches their full potential.

As I always say, education is a joint effort between home and school and goes far beyond books. In the information and communication age, reducing education to mere content undermines the teaching profession and human capacity. We must teach our children to analyse information, to think critically, to reason, to explore… And this can only be done if we understand the stage they are in.

So yes, understanding neurodevelopment is important.