Nursery World - Birth to Three Matters: Born to learn

In the fourth of a series of articles on Birth to Three Matters, Ann Langston and Professor Lesley Abbott consider the competent learner

In the fourth of a series of articles on Birth to Three Matters, Ann Langston and Professor Lesley Abbott consider the competent learner

Babies come into the world ready to learn, building on their experiences in the womb, their senses tuned to different sounds, smells, sights, flavours and textures, such as their mother's voice, her distinctive smell, the faces of siblings, grandparents and friends, sweet and sour flavours, a soft blanket or an itchy label.

As they learn, young babies quickly begin to show remarkable capabilities, often surprising their carers by the way they scrutinise a face, reach out for an object, or appear to know just what to do with a new toy. However, while babies are primed to learn, they also rely heavily on interactions with others, and need support if their learning is to be maximised.

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