Epigenetics is a field of research we in Early Education play close attention to. In short, it is the study of changes in gene expression as a result of environmental factors. In regards to young children, Epigenetics seeks to understand when and how children change in response to their environment.
Perhaps one of the more important and undisputed conclusions of recent Epigenetics research is that
“supportive, attentive and sensitive adult care plays a salient role in protecting children”*
Environmental and (we are now coming to know) even genetic factors play a role in children’s development! Everything from their neurological development to their immune systems can be effected by the way they are treated and the environment they experience.
Stress, especially, is a key factor that relates to genetic expression.
Research reveals that there is a complex, critical time period in development — both adaptive and maladaptive — that is likely initiated, guided and curtailed by epigenetic events that modify genes in the brain responsible for neurodevelopment. Evidence that epigenetic marks might be passed on to subsequent generations suggests that DNA sequences alone may not determine inherited traits.**
At Creative World Schools, our Education Team stays on the cutting edge of research so we can best partner with parents for the growth and development of each child! We are proud to offer a customized learning experience to each child that includes an age-appropriate, developmentally conscious classroom environment and is equipped with the tools and oversight to ensure success.
Do you wonder how your young child is developing? We offer ongoing assessments, an individualized learning plan, learning assessments, portfolios, and developmental goals for each young learner in our schools.
Get in touch for a free tour and to learn more about how Early Education can set your child on a path for learning success!