Vol. 6, Issue 10, Part O (2020)

Abstract
“The learning environments of home, school and the wider culture therefore enable experience-dependent learning, and lay the basis for the cognitive and emotional functioning of the adult system” Genetic and environmental factors including nutrition interact and provide the basis for physical growth, cognitive and socio-emotional development. Among the multiple early environmental influences, food insecurity and resultant dietary deficiencies, inadequate and poor feeding practices, recurrent and chronic infections, and low levels of infant-caregiver stimulation prevent children from reaching their full potential for growth and development and also increase the risk of poor health due to reduced immunity. Continuing to live in poverty further exacerbates the consequences leading to a perpetual vicious cycle of loss of intellectual, physical and economical potential especially among infants and young children living in low and middle income countries. Brain development during foetal and early postnatal life, is rapid, demonstrating the highest degree of plasticity. The inherent capacity to learn is present, but how and what the infant learns is modulated by the specific determinants in the environment.