From birth to age 5, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time in their life.
The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life — positive or negative — determines which brain connections develop and will last for a lifetime.
Pathfinder Health has developed a framework to help you help your child reach their maximum potential.
PROE™ — A holistic approach to child development.
90%
of a child’s brain develops by age 5
All children develop at their own pace – some will walk or talk earlier than usual, while others may take more time – but the early years are the best opportunity for a child’s brain to form the connections they need to succeed in school and life.
Motivation, self-regulation, problem-solving, communication, and self-esteem – are formed in these early years. If they do not develop during this time, it will be much harder for the brain to build these essential connections later in life.
The PROE™ Framework.
Building brain connections is like building muscles — use it or lose it. Connections that are used more often become stronger, while those that are not used will be eventually eliminated, making the brain more efficient.
We — at Pathfinder Health — strive to give children the best possible start in life. So we've analyzed 17 mainstream developmental theories and distilled them into one unifying framework — PROE — to help you support your baby's development effortlessly and help them reach their full potential.
The PROE Framework is the result of hundreds of hours of work and is based on the most up-to-date science. PROE stands for “Play, Relationships, Observation, Experience” — all of the ways your child interacts with the world around them, strengthening their physical, social/emotional, cognitive, and language development.
R.
Relationship
Supported by Attachment theory, Psychosocial development theory, and Behavioral learning theory.
A child’s relationships with the people in their life are the most important influences on their brain development. Loving relationships with responsive, dependable adults are essential to a child’s healthy development.
These relationships begin at home, with family members, but also include childcare providers, teachers, and other members of the community.
O.
Observation
Supported by Behavioral Learning theory, Social Learning theory, and Attachment theory.
Allowing your child to watch you talk, cook, clean, or work on a project gives them a chance to see how adults interact with their environment.
It also provides valuable lessons in cause and effect–as they watch you complete a task, they can begin to understand how their actions can affect their world.
E.
Experience
Supported by Sociocultural theory, Behavioral learning theory, Psychosocial development theory, and Cognitive development theory.
Starting from birth, children develop brain connections through their everyday experiences.
They also learn how their actions and bodies impact the environment around them, teaching them self-awareness and cause and effect.
The PROE™ Framework in the Pathfinder Health app.
Don't worry if you don't have everything figured out — check out the 600+ activities you can do to promote your child's development in the Pathfinder Health app. Each activity is already marked for your convenience!
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Developmental Activities.
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Our parent-child activities are a great way for parents to encourage their child’s development using both routine daily tasks and interactions and special games and projects. The best part? Many only take a few minutes!
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We offer a variety of fun and engaging activities that are sure to keep your baby engaged in each developmental domain: physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development — we offer something everybody will enjoy!
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You can share the activities with your loved ones & caregivers so they can also encourage your child’s development.
What Physicians Say.
"PROE synergistically brings together classic developmental theories with a revolutionary approach geared to help parents and professionals better understand a child’s development."
Eric M. Flake, MD, FAAP
"I am impressed with PROE holistic approach to child development. The app could potentially be a breakthrough with how we monitor infants-children."
Michael H.T. Sia, MD, MPH, FAAP
What Parents Say.
During testing, 100% of participating families reported increased engagement with their kids following the PROE framework.
"I think the idea of the PROE framework is great! As someone who works with children (SLP) and who has two young children of my own, it encapsulates what I know as a professional to be important for development while being parent-friendly and easy to understand. It simplifies the many different child development theories into an easily accessible format."
Molly D.
"I like the PROE framework because it is easy to comprehend and easy to adapt to everyday life with your child as these things currently are already happening! It is flexible to use and change as your child grows so I will definitely be sticking with it."
C. Pellegrini
"I think this is a concise, helpful way to conceptualize four pilars of child development. It's a helpful reminder to add diversity to my baby's daily schedule, and also reminds me that it's okay (and important) for baby to also observe. We often feel like we constantly need to play with our baby and provide experiences, but the relationships and observation are also important for growth."
Nicole R.
"I liked that this model gave me a framework to think about different aspects of my child's development and how I can focus on certain areas. I also appreciated that the information gives me tools so I can take action in areas of concern."
Kelly J.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've gathered commonly asked questions about child development so you can gain a better understanding of this fascinating topic.
What is child development, and why is it important?
In the first few years of life, more than 1 million neural connections are formed every second. The quality and variety of a child's early experiences make a huge difference as their brains develop, providing either a strong or weak foundation for learning, behavior, and overall health.
Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape young children's development trajectory and build a foundation for their future and lifelong health.
When little ones miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they may go through life with poor physical and mental health; struggle to learn, and, later, earn a living.
Therefore, it's important to help young children learn and grow by providing them with a safe environment filled with lots of love and developmental activities.
What are 5 stages of child development?
By understanding the stages of child development, caregivers can better support their kids through each age and stage. Fostering healthy early child development can help ensure that they grow into well-rounded, successful adults.
There are five stages of child development:
1. Newborn (0-3 Months). During the newborn stage, babies learn about the world around them. They are able to recognize their parents' faces, voices, and smells, hear and respond to loud sounds. Babies can move their arms and legs, focus on objects nearby, and even make facial expressions like smiling or frowning. At this stage, babies learn best through repetition, such as playing a game or singing a song over and over again.
2. Infant (3-12 Months). This stage is characterized by the rapid development of physical skills as infants learn to control their head and body movements and begin achieving many developmental milestones, such as rolling over, crawling, bringing their hands together, sitting without support, babbling, and even standing. They also begin to understand simple words and can show their feelings with facial expressions and gestures like pointing or waving goodbye. As they grow older, they become more independent and explore new things with curiosity.
3. Toddler (1-3 Years). During this stage, toddlers continue to develop motor skills while also beginning to explore their environment through play. They often engage in pretend play which helps them learn how to express themselves emotionally and creatively. Cognitively they are building memory skills while recognizing symbols like words, numbers, or letters. Socially they learn how to interact with familiar people but can be very shy around strangers, other children, or new environments.
4. Preschool (3-5 Years). During this age range, a developing child continue to refine their motor skills while becoming more independent in solving daily tasks. They become increasingly creative through various activities, such as painting and drawing, which help them express themselves confidently and imaginatively. Language skills also become more advanced during this time period as children use words for more complex thinking processes. Emotionally preschoolers strengthen their sense of identity by understanding who they are in relation to other people around them and developing meaningful relationships with peers at a daycare center.
5. School Age (6-17 Years). During this particular age range, children learn to understand their place in the world and how to interact with others. They learn academic skills such as reading, writing, and math. They also develop social-emotional skills that help them form relationships with family members and friends. As they mature, school-age children gain more independence and responsibility for their actions, allowing them to make decisions on their own. Additionally, they become more involved in extracurricular activities that can further enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well being.
In conclusion, early childhood is an incredibly important phase in a child's life where physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development all combine, allowing the child to reach its highest academic and personal potential.
How can I encourage early childhood development?
Discoveries in scientific publications have unveiled ways parents can foster their children's early childhood development. By responding to children with predictability, showing sensitivity and warmth, creating household rules and routines, reading and engaging with children, promoting safety and health, and using gentle discipline, caregivers can aid their child in achieving healthy emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and social success.
With your responsive caregiving and guidance, they will have the opportunity to discover and reach their potential. Encouraging them every step of the way can help ensure that your child is confident in their abilities and has the tools necessary for success.
What are some challenges that gifted children face?
Gifted children often need additional guidance and educational opportunities in order to reach their full potential. Providing enrichment activities such as music lessons, chess clubs, or art classes and staying involved in their education are great ways to nurture their abilities.
You can help your child realize their true potential with the right resources and encouragement! If you're ever unsure how best to support your child's needs, speaking with their teacher or a specialist can be very helpful.
It's important to remember that no matter what level of giftedness your child may have, they are still a growing individual who needs love and emotional support just like anyone else.
How can I tell if my child is gifted?
If you think your child may be gifted, there are a few things you can look for. They may learn new skills quickly, have an active imagination, and enjoy problem-solving. You might also notice they have a good memory and ask many questions. Your child may also excel at certain activities or show an interest in topics beyond their age level.
If you think your child is gifted, it's best to talk to their teacher or a specialist who can help determine if this is the case. They may suggest intelligence tests, creativity assessments, or other resources to help confirm your suspicions.
It's also important to remember that giftedness is not always easy, and there can be both advantages and disadvantages to being above average in certain areas. Therefore, it is important to seek support and advice if you think your child may be gifted.
When should I worry about my child's development?
When it comes to worrying about your child's health, it is important to understand the developmental milestones they should reach at different ages. It is normal for children to develop at their own pace, and there can be slight variations in what is considered "normal."
However, if your child is significantly behind the expected developmental milestones for their age or if you notice a sudden regression in their development, you should consider taking clinical screenings such as SWYC or MCHAT and provide screening results to your pediatrician or self-refer to your local EIS (Early Intervention Services).
Learn more: When Should You Be Concerned About Your Child's Development?
What are some common developmental delays?
Developmental delays can range from mild to severe and can be caused by various factors such as genetic disorders, environmental risks, or even lack of stimulation. Common developmental delays include language delays, motor skill delays, cognitive, social, and emotional delays.
Language delay may include delayed babbling or not saying any words by 18 months or fewer than 50 words by two years of age. To help overcome this delay, parents should actively engage with their children through reading books, telling stories, imitating sounds, and using objects to build on their child's language skills.
Motor skill delays occur when a child has difficulty with fine and gross motor tasks such as sitting up, crawling, or walking. Usually, these problems stem from muscle tone issues caused by medical conditions like cerebral palsy. Muscle control can be improved through occupational and physical therapy, which helps improve coordination, strength, and balance.
Cognitive delays involve problems with memory, problem-solving abilities, ability to learn abstract concepts, and executive functioning, such as self-regulation. This type of delay is often linked to medical conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). Occupational and speech therapies help strengthen a child's cognitive skills while providing behavioral strategies for managing challenging behaviors associated with ID and ASD. Additionally, special education services may be recommended for children with severe cognitive impairments that interfere with learning activities required for academic success.
Are there any resources available for families dealing with child development issues?
Families dealing with early childhood development issues have a range of resources available to them. Through the Pathfinder Health app, you can access reliable information on a wide variety of topics related to their baby's growth and behavior.
In addition, numerous nonprofit organizations are dedicated to helping families with special needs or challenging circumstances. These organizations often provide support groups for parents as well as services such as counseling and therapy for children who might be having difficulty with matters related to child development.
Finally, it is important for parents to stay connected with their pediatrician or family doctor throughout their children's early childhood development. This professional can provide advice regarding age-appropriate activities and behaviors as well as referrals to other specialists if needed.
What causes developmental delays?
Developmental delays occur when typical physical, cognitive, language, social, and/or emotional development slows or stops. While this can be due to various medical conditions or genetic factors, some of the most common causes are inadequate nutrition and health care during pregnancy; premature birth; poverty; parenting stress; and exposure to environmental toxins or infections.
Additionally, developmental delays may be caused by specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
PROE™
Check out our blog for an in-depth introduction to the PROE™ framework.
Disclaimer: The PROE Framework and the information on this site are not designed to and do not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, or treatment. The information is NOT intended to replace consultation with a qualified medical professional.