Children's development is influenced by nature and nurture – genes and environment.
Whilst genes provide the initial map for brain development, it is the experience and relationships that babies and children have that literally sculpt their brains.
Because experience shapes the brain, it is the social and physical experiences within the children's environment that are important.
Families have an important ongoing influence on children, but they are not the only important influence. The conditions and support that the community provides also have a major impact on how children develop.
Place your mouse over each circle to see a description of brain development at three stages of children's development.