In this society that has touched us to live it seems that whoever does not arrive first is defeated. And while the desire for improvement is positive, we must channel it properly and not obsess. Often we put in our children the rush to learn, to evolve, to conquer their achievements. But you also have to leave room to enjoy their growth, without pressure or high goals.
Overstimulation can be counterproductive, if we take into account that the correct development of the baby's brain is not based on special techniques but on an adequate environment and above all a contact with the parents that provide the baby with safety and affection.
Therefore, that some children learn to speak sooner or later, that they walk or crawl sooner or later, will not depend so much on the "techniques" that we use to help them as well as the simple contact with us and their surroundings. Even so, in the case of crawling or walking, for example, the development of the locomotor system of the child must be taken into account.
That is, as much as we "teach" our children to crawl, to talk, to read ... there are certain physiological conditions that will not be achieved before a certain stage. It's like overcoming a floor height: we can do it climbing step by step, or we run the risk of falling. Trying to force that natural evolution makes no sense.
The fact is that having "baby Einsteins" or little geniuses seems to be the desire of many parents, sometimes led by the influence of marketing campaigns that seek an economic benefit. The mediocre (what a word so loaded with negative connotation!), Has no place in our society.
When they grow up, we think that if we do not stimulate our children correctly or offer all kinds of extracurriculars to improve their potential, their grades will be lower and they may not be able to do a university career or they will not achieve a "good job". It is possible that we take away from our children moments of leisure and enjoyment that, of course, will also shape their development as people.
It is true that the first years of life are fundamental for the development of the brain and that the child's future is determined in a way, but that does not mean that after three or four years the child does not continue learning (in fact, I hope that doesn't happen after a few decades!)
What is possible is that a baby without stimuli, without maternal contact, who is unattended, does not create the neural connections necessary for proper development and this will affect him throughout his life. Because it is in these early years when synapses or connections between nerve cells far exceed those of an adult. But luckily this is not usual.
This means that secure attachment takes a prime place in the first months and years of the baby: That commitment to trust, the creation of safe and stable ties with our children, may not help them to walk before, but it will make their social and emotional development better.
But, even in the field of neurosciences, there are doubts that an "extra stimulated" environment favors the development of the brain and the motor or mental abilities of children.
In short, this is a reflection on the rush we have for our children to do everything, but do we leave something on the road? What do we really teach them with it? Won't they want that in the future, in their personal achievements, in their social relationships, in their studies, in their work ...?
