Babies’ brains are very flexible which means that they can pick up on more things such as learning languages and coping with different family situations. However, once key pathways are established, they are carried into adulthood. This means that we need to place more importance on early years’ brain development as children’s brains begin to develop from birth.

Children’s brains need to be able to cope with their own environment e.g. a threatening environment. This means that their attention can become focused on looking for threats preventing learning in other areas. As teachers, we need to remember this and create an environment which feels safe for them to ensure they can develop empathy.

Whilst we need to ensure the environment is safe and friendly for children, we also need to remember that we also can’t mould children’s brains to believe that the world is all calm and secure. It is important to not fully shelter children from the outside world as they need to develop skills for later life which they begin to learn at this young age. We need to bring up a generation that can cope with this world and react to it by making good decisions when faced with challenges.

These skills are harder to develop in later life; therefore, it is important to introduce these early. By smiling, encouraging and taking an interest in them, these essential skills can be acquired. Consistency of these actions is needed as many children may only experience this in their nursery or primary school. We need to be passionate and genuinely show concern for children by encouraging positive relationships within the classroom. As teachers, we also need to support parents and carers to encourage positive relationships at home too.

In my own professional practice, I will try to ensure the classroom is a place where children can confidently develop skills in decision making and interacting with others. I will do this by encouraging friendships within the classroom, praising children and using facial expressions such as smiling. I will not just focus on the children who do not have positive experiences within their home as it is important that all children are able to continue to develop their brains within the classroom too.