The first years of a child's life are incredibly important. Babies and toddlers aren't just cute - they are growing and developing at an astonishing rate. About 85 percent of the human brain develops in the first three years of life. That means that young children are forming the "wiring" needed to think, communicate, move and form attachments with those around them. Children who have nurturing, healthy and supportive experiences in their early years are much better prepared to succeed in school and life.
In this Learning for Life primetime special, KING 5 TV News anchors Joyce Taylor and Brad Goode explored how babies think, how their brains absorb information and what every adult can do to give young children the best start in life. World-renown scientists from the Institute of Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington reveal their latest research of how babies learn. Learning For Life: How Babies Learn airs Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on KING 5 TV.
The special airs again Monday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m. on Northwest Cable News (NWCN) and Sunday, Oct. 3 at 9 p.m. on KONG 6/16 TV.
For the past year and a half, Thrive by Five Washington and KING 5 TV have worked in partnership to help raise public awareness about the importance of early learning. This has included weekly news stories, Evening Magazine segments, public service announcement and two previous primetime specials. Thrive by Five Washington also partners with I-LABS to make sure the latest brain research reaches parents, policymakers and child care providers.
All Learning for Life segments can be viewed on Thrive's Web site.