1. Words Start Exploding! (Around Ages 2-3)
Remember that stage? Maybe around age two or three? Suddenly your toddler goes from a few words to what feels like hundreds! New words pop up almost every day. It’s often called the “language explosion,” and it happens because the talking and understanding parts of their brain are kicking into high gear and making loads of new connections!
- Sharing stories together every day is great – try mixing up the books!
- Keep the conversation flowing, using real words rather than too much ‘baby talk’.
- Point things out and give them names during the day – “Look, a hadeda!” or “Time to peel your orange.”
- Introduce new words on outings – maybe at the local supermarket, the park, or visiting family. Use all the languages spoken in your home!
- Don’t stress too much about perfect pronunciation right now; focus on getting them chatting and learning new words.
2. Figuring Out Others Have Different Thoughts (Around Ages 3-4)
This is a fascinating step! Around this age, kids start cottoning on that other people have their own thoughts and feelings. They begin to understand different perspectives, which is so important for getting along. This happens as their brain develops the ability to separate their own viewpoint from someone else’s.
- When reading stories, chat about how characters might feel: “How do you think the cat felt when…?”
- Use words that highlight different views: “Granny doesn’t know we baked cookies because she wasn’t here.”
- Simple guessing games can be good fun for this.
- Talk about how real people might feel: “Maybe the teller is tired after a long day.”
3. Numbers Start Making Sense (Around Ages 3-5)
Around now, they really start to click with what numbers actually mean. It’s not just reciting 1, 2, 3 – they begin to grasp that numbers stand for amounts and you can do things with them (like adding more!). This “number sense” is the base for all future maths, and it develops as the number-crunching part of their brain gets switched on and links up with how they see things and use language.
- Count things constantly – fingers, toes, blocks, cars on the road!
- Simple board games with dice are fantastic for matching numbers to spaces.
- Let them help in the kitchen – measuring cups, talking about “more” mielie meal or “less” sugar.
- Use number words naturally: “Wow, you have more puzzle pieces than me,” or “Let’s share these Smarties fairly.”
- Sing those counting songs and rhymes you remember – local ones are lekker!
4. The Brain’s “Control Centre” Powers Up (Around Ages 3-6)
This is when kids start developing their “executive functions” – that’s the brain’s ability to manage itself. Think things like controlling the urge to grab, holding instructions in mind, and switching between activities without getting stuck. It’s all down to the planning and control centre part of their brain – their “thinking cap” – building stronger connections.
- Playing games like “Simon Says” or “Freeze Dance” – good fun for practising stopping and starting.
- Simple routines, maybe with pictures for bedtime or getting ready, help build planning skills.
- Gently help them practise waiting a short while for things.
- Give them little tasks with two or three steps to remember.
5. Laying the Groundwork for Reading (Around Ages 4-6)
Before kids actually decode words on a page, they need some groundwork. This means getting familiar with the sounds inside words (like rhyming or hearing the first sound) and realising that print has meaning. Their brain is busy connecting the visual side (letters) with the sound side (language).
- Playing with word sounds – clap syllables (ta-ble!), find things starting with “Ssss”.
- Pointing out words everywhere – on road signs (robots!), shop names (like your local supermarket), food packets.
- Letting them trace letters in sand, draw with chalk on the pavement, or use finger paints.
- Bringing stories alive with actions and funny voices – make it fun!
- Popping into your local library if there’s one nearby; story times can be wonderful.
6. Connecting Actions and Results (Around Ages 4-6)
Kids get much better now at linking actions and results – cause and effect. They can start predicting what might happen and understand sequences, as their logical thinking wires up with what they see and do.
- Asking open-ended questions: “What do you think will happen if we…?”
- Trying simple experiments with everyday stuff: Does it sink or float? Mix sand and water. Plant a bean!
- Talking about why things happen: “The lights are off; maybe it’s load shedding again,” or “Look, the plant is droopy; it needs water.”
- When reading, pause and ask: “What do you think the character will do next?”
7. Imagination Takes Flight! (Around Ages 4-7)
Imagination really takes flight now! A simple block can become anything – a cellphone, a taxi, a piece of cake! Kids develop the amazing ability to use one thing to stand for another. This is huge for reading, maths, and all kinds of creativity, and it comes about as their brain gets better at holding onto ideas and symbols mentally and “playing” with them.
- Offering stuff like blocks, cloths, and boxes – perfect for sparking pretend play.
- Jumping into their games: “Right, I’m coming to your spaza shop!”
- Drawing pictures together and chatting about what they represent.
- Trying to draw a simple map of your garden or walk to the park.
- Making up stories using spoons or stones as characters.
8. Becoming Sorting Superstars (Around Ages 5-7)
Sorting becomes a superpower! They get really good at grouping things, often by more than one thing at once (like finding all the red and round beads). They also get better at putting things in order (like from smallest to biggest). This is all about logical thinking, powered by their brain’s ‘filing system’ getting an upgrade to handle sorting and ordering information.
- Get them to help sort things – laundry (whites and colours!), recycling, putting away groceries.
- Collect natural things on walks (leaves, stones, seed pods) and sort them in different ways.
- Play sorting games: “Find all the LEGO bricks that are blue and square.”
- Line things up by size, shade of colour, or length.
- Arrange photos of the family from youngest to oldest.
9. Thinking About Thinking (Around Ages 6-8)
This sounds fancy, but it just means kids start to realise how they think and learn. They might notice when they don’t understand something and begin figuring out simple ways to help themselves learn better. This deeper thinking emerges as the more advanced parts of their brain mature and link up with memory and emotion centres.
- Ask questions about their thinking: “How did you work that puzzle out?” or “What part of that story was tricky to understand?”
- Think aloud yourself when you solve a problem: “Hmm, this isn’t working, maybe I should try it this way…”
- Show them simple tricks to remember things (like making a picture in their head).
- Help them notice how they learn best: “Do you remember better when we draw it or when we act it out?”
- Praise their effort and how they tackled a problem, not just whether they got it “right.”
10. Becoming More Flexible Thinkers (Around Ages 6-8)
Kids get better at changing their thinking when needed, seeing things from different angles, and coming up with creative solutions to problems. Their thinking becomes less rigid because different parts of their brain are learning to team up more effectively, allowing them to adapt and see things in new ways.
- Play games where the rules change sometimes.
- Talk about different ways to solve everyday problems (like reaching something high up).
- Ask “what if” questions: “What if dogs could talk?”
- Expose them to different people, places, foods, and ideas.
- Encourage creative projects where there’s no single “right” way to do it.
Helping Their Amazing Brain Grow Every Day
While these milestones are interesting, the best way to support your child’s brain development is through consistent, loving, everyday actions:
- Good Sleep is Brain Food: Little ones need plenty of sleep (usually 10-13 hours, depending on age) for their brains to recharge and grow. Stick to a calming, consistent bedtime routine that works for your family.
- Healthy Food Fuels the Brain: Offer balanced meals with plenty of fresh, local foods. Think lean proteins, healthy fats (like avocado!), fruits, and veggies. Following the South African food guidelines is a great start.
- Balance Screen Time: Screens have their place, but make sure there’s lots of time for face-to-face chat, play, and outdoor time too. Nothing beats real human interaction for brain building!
- Get Moving!: Running, jumping, climbing – being active is fantastic for brains as well as bodies! Luckily, we have great weather in SA for lots of outdoor play.
- Love and Security are Key: Feeling safe, loved, and secure is the absolute best foundation for a growing brain. Lots of cuddles, listening, and responsive care make a huge difference, whatever your family setup looks like.
Knowing about these steps helps us see just how much incredible work is happening inside our children’s heads, often just through simple play and chatting! By providing a supportive and stimulating environment, you’re giving their brain the best possible chance to grow strong and capable.
And remember, every child develops at their own special pace. These milestones are just a guide. Focus on enjoying the journey and providing lots of opportunities for them to explore, learn, and feel loved!
