44 HOME Is Where the Heart Is... WORDS: Ms. Carol Hunt, Director of Early Childhood Services Manatee Community Action Agency It has often been said that parenting a child is the hardest job you will ever have. The job brings feelings of terror, wonder and amazement, happiness and humility, along with just plain and simple exhaustion. It is a job where it can sometimes feel as if the days are endlessly long, and the years unbelievably short. Parenting may also feel as if you are taking the trip of your life with a wonderful destination in mind, but no map or guide book to tell you how to get to where you want to go. Often you must rely on your own sense of direction, follow your own footsteps, and you have two left feet. Decades of research in neurobiology underscores the importance of children’s early experiences in building the foundation for their growing brains. 85% of the brain structure is formed by three years of age. Parents who understand how children develop are more equipped to provide the high quality experiences that form strong neural connections that will last throughout the child’s life. While it is true that experiences in the early years are critical to the long-term outcomes of children, at the end of the day, the most signi��cant factor to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents throughout the entire growth process. Manatee County is fortunate to have a variety of home visiting programs available to help parents through the labyrinth of child rearing. Home visitors with experience and training in child development, family development, and parenting serve as a resource to parents as they deal with the challenges of raising children.
30135PC
To see the actual publication please follow the link above