Controversial?Maybe.The human brain is pretty amazing. Neurons are created and then as our little ones grow and experience their environment, neurons are pared down. The right kind of stimulation at the right age is definitely helpful. As brain areas develop for processing senses and movement, then spatial orientation and language and then the integrating of impressions, we can sort of follow that developing brain path.Recently, while chatting with a few parents on this topic, I realized that they thought that teaching subjects to their little ones (apart from eating, crawling, walking and not touching things), was related to “direct” teaching methods only and not a “good” thing to do.Most had the unspoken attitude that when their little ones reached preschool age, the schools would do the direct teaching. Otherwise, their children would absorb what was in their home environment. And some of this I would agree with. But, we are hard wired to learn.And since direct teaching is one of several ways to teach our little ones, and since the paring down of neurons takes place at a rapid pace in our little ones, we may wish to reconsider how, when and what we teach them.Some parents are learning that this is a great period (from 0-5) to expose our children to a second language, maybe some reading, maybe some math.During this age range, our little ones haven’t learned as many of the biases that they will absorb as they get older, so “teaching young” can be a boon to them. Especially helping them to learn how not to be so biased or inflexible. Or how to have a positive relationship with more academic topics.Since certain parental teaching can fit in with our biological development, “teaching young” may be much more helpful then we thought. Instead of pushing learning off for schools to handle, “teaching young” may allow our children to learn things at an earlier age, setting the stage for more fruitful learning later on.The consideration may be a mix of direct, indirect and catalytic teaching methods.What do you think? Have you begun to teach your little ones or are you waiting for the schools to do it? In what ways are you teaching your children? all content The New Parent © 2008