Age of Four Is A Critical Time In The Development of The Brain

A study has found that if just ten children’s books are to hand when a child is four, a part of their brain involved in language and thought matures more quickly by the age of 18 or 19.Access to educational toys and trips to the zoo and amusement parks also help.

However, if introduced at the age of eight, these books and treats seem to have little impact on the brain, suggesting the age of four is a critical time in the development of the brain, the Society for Neuroscience’s annual conference in New Orleans heard.

The University of Pennsylvania study comes amid concern that youngsters are abandoning books in favour of TV and computer games.

 Researcher Martha Farrah said: “In the course of brain maturity during childhood and adulthood, the cortex becomes thinner... so you are left with a lean, mean machine.” - Daily Mail