So what are The Basics?
Founder Dr Ron Ferguson is an MIT-trained economist who has taught at Harvard University in the USA since 1983. While Director of the Achievement Gap Initiative, he first noticed that cognitive skill gaps between children were very apparent by the time they reached two years old. He began exploring how to bridge that gap by supporting every child's early learning and brain development, starting at birth.
The Basics Mission is committed to helping babies and children aged 0-3 be on track to achieve their full potential, having benefited from early experiences that foster healthy brain development, learning, joy, and resilience.
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Children learn about themselves and their world through relationships with parents, family members, and caregivers. When children feel loved, safe and secure, and when those caring for them receive proper support and tools to handle stress, children are more likely to respond to different emotions in healthy ways and form strong connections as they grow. You can build a positive relationship with a child by being present and responsive with them in the moment, spending quality time together, and creating a caring environment of love, trust, and respect.
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Babies begin to learn language from the very beginning. They pay close attention to your sounds and expressions as you interact with them. You can speed up their language development by talking, singing, and pointing, improving their early learning and engagement with the world around them. Every time you talk, sing or point to something, you give clues to the meaning of your words, allowing the child to label objects, describe feelings, and learn what words mean.
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Becoming good at maths begins long before a child enters school. Even babies can do simple maths, such as noticing amounts and patterns. Toddlers love learning maths concepts, such as comparing sizes and shapes, which help them make sense of the world. By building on their natural skills and interests, you will boost their confidence and understanding. What children learn in the first few years makes all the difference when they get to school.
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Play is an essential aspect of your child's learning and development. It helps them build their confidence, feel loved, happy, and safe, understand how the world works, develop social skills and language, learn about caring for others and the environment, and develop physical skills.
As children grow, their attention span and physical abilities will improve, and the way they play will evolve. Children will become more creative and experimental with toys, games, and ideas. Read on to discover how to encourage exploration, movement, and play in your baby or toddler.
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Reading aloud helps babies turn into confident thinkers. Research has shown that the amount of time spent reading and how you read and talk with your child can predict a child's later thinking and language development. Reading aloud to them from birth, while pointing to the pictures and discussing the story, is one of the most important things you can do to prepare a child for success in school.
The Basics Tasmania at a glance
History
The Basics Tasmania originates from The Boston Basics, a coalition of organisations and individuals working to ensure every child gets a great start in life. The founding partners are the Black Philanthropy Fund, the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University, the Department of Pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, the Boston Mayor's Education Cabinet, WGBH Public Broadcasting, and the Boston Children's Museum.
The Science
According to research conducted by Harvard University, children start to show gaps in their skills by the age of two. In one study, two-year-olds from less privileged backgrounds were six months behind their more advantaged peers in their language processing skills. To combat this issue, experts developed The Basics, a set of principles to enhance cognitive and social-emotional development in children from birth to three years of age.
Who is it for?
The Basics initiative aims to involve all those who interact with a child. A child's development thrives in an environment based on relationships, starting with the family and extending to other essential adults. These may include extended family members, early care and education providers, medical professionals, social workers, and trusted friends.
How can we help you?
The Basics Tasmania provides a comprehensive online repository of videos, activities, handouts, and other materials designed to assist you. Our social media channels are frequently updated and offer valuable tips and quick activities to help you engage your baby or child in experiences that promote healthy brain development, learning, happiness, and resilience.
“‘It takes a village to raise a child!’ originated from the Nigerian Igbo culture and proverb ‘Oran a azu nwa’, which means it takes a community or village to raise a child. The Igbo’s also name their children ‘Nwa ora’ which means child of the community.”