Early Childhood

I was excited to view this TED talk, brilliantly delivered by seven-year-old Molly Wright. 

Here’s why her message hits hard – and what it means for you.

Imagine your child’s brain from zero to five years as an incredible, rapidly growing supercomputer. Before they even start kindergarten, their brain is literally creating a million new neural connections every single second. Amazing!

The key message here is beautifully simple: it’s not about fancy toys or educational apps. It’s about YOU. Human connection makes everything meaningful. Those simple, seemingly mundane interactions like peekaboo aren’t just cute games – they’re building trust and empathy. Every giggle, every moment of play is literally shaping who they’ll become.

The science is crystal clear: 90% of a child’s brain develops by the age of five. And development happens through human interaction – what experts call “serve and return” or those back-and-forth moments of engagement. Your presence isn’t just nice, it’s neurologically essential.

And here’s something profound: kids are emotional sponges. They sense what’s unsaid. When relationships are tested and connections broken, they internalize that stress, often blaming themselves. Thankfully reconnection can restore and literally rewire their sense of safety.

Learning doesn’t start in school. It starts in the womb, with a mother’s voice, then continues with playful interactions. Play isn’t a distraction from development – play IS development.

Molly has clearly expressed a critical perspective on the role of parents during a child’s early developmental years where the magic truly does happen. Her breakdown demonstrates how those first five years are specifically transformative. These years represent a pivotal period that can unlock each child’s full potential and shape the rest of a child’s life journey. Thanks Molly.