"Research shows that the first three years of life is the period of most rapid development for a child. Infants are born with well-developed senses, and have a wide range of reflexive abilities with which to begin the important tasks of forming relationships and developing trust, having their basic physical needs met  and exploring the world around them. With nurturing and responsive care-giving, appropriate environmental stimulation, optimal health, and adequate  nutrition, babies will grow from being totally dependent to becoming active participants in exploring and shaping their world.

    The Human brain in not fully developed at birth. Sensitive, trusting interactions with people and the environment are necessary to complete the infant brain 's network of connections. These connections grow most rapidly in the child's first three years of life and establish the foundation for all future learning.

   Infants and toddlers are eager and curious learners, gaining knowledge and understanding of themselves and the world around them from every experience of daily living. Dramatic changes occur in every area of development, and growth in one area influences growth in all other areas.

Each child is born with a unique, natural disposition that shapes behaviors and plays a significant role in the development of relationships with parents, family members, care-givers, and other children. From birth, infants display differences in temperament, activity level, biological rhythm, mood, intensity of reaction, sensitivity, adaptability, distractibility, and persistence. Recognizing and understanding these differences is essential to develop nurturing and responsive relationships and to create optimal learning opportunities."

Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines, N.H.H.S.S., June 2007

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