An empty vessel to be filled. A lump of clay to be molded. Often, this is how parents see their newborn's potential for growth and development. According to the latest research on brain development, a newborn's brain is remarkably unfinished. The brain, the body's most vital and complex organ, matures outside of the womb; therefore babies are deeply affected by their earliest experiences. In other words, a child's brain potential is not entirely predetermined in the womb.

Positive emotional, physical and intellectual/language experiences in a child's earliest years are just as important as a healthy diet and a safe place to live. To encourage the healthy development of a newborn, parents need to know that it is the earliest interactions with themselves and other caregivers that actually affect the way a baby's brain becomes "wired" for later learning. These interactions determine the potential for the way children will learn, think, feel and behave for the rest of their lives.

A child is born with more than 100 billion brain cells. Before the age of 5, long, thin fibers called synapses grow and connect the brain cells, forming the neurological foundation of trillions of connections upon which a child builds a lifetime of skills. The final number of synapses is largely determined by a child's earliest experiences. Brain growth early in life is unparalleled. At no other time in life does the brain master so many skills, or does experience etch so deeply in the mind. It is during these first few years that potential vocabulary, math and logic skills are largely determined and emotional stability is greatly affected.

So, what are some things that parents and child care providers can do to make the most of the fast learning and developing that goes on in the brain during these early years? Here are some suggestions:

 Be warm and loving. Children experience relationships through their senses. Through warm and loving interactions, such as touching, rocking, smiling, singing and talking, young children feel safe and secure with their caregivers. Touch is especially important because it stimulates the brain to release growth hormones.

 Be responsive to your child's sounds, expressions and movements. Infants cannot use words to express themselves; therefore, they feel secure and loved when they are responded to in other ways. They begin to trust that when they cry they will be comforted, when they are hungry they will be fed, and when they smile and laugh they will be played with.

 Talk, read and sing to your child. Making up stories, singing songs, and describing things to your child encourages speech and language capacity to grow, even if a child can't understand the meaning of the words. Researchers have found that when mothers frequently spoke to their infants, they learned almost 300 more words by age 2 than their peers whose mothers rarely spoke to them. Studies also find that how you read to older children makes a difference. By encouraging participation, such as asking questions, pointing out pictures and predicting outcomes, children's brains are even more stimulated and challenged.

 Establish routines and rituals. Daily routines and rituals are reassuring for children. They help children learn what to expect and how to understand the world around them. For example, a toddler may know it is nap time because her mom closes the curtains and sings a song. Children who have safe and predictable interactions and activities have been found to do better in school later on.

 Encourage curiosity, safe exploration and play. Interactions between a parent and child form the basis for all subsequent learning and growing. As infants begin to crawl and walk, they begin to explore the world beyond their caregivers. Parents should encourage safe exploration and play, and be receptive when a child needs to return to them for security. Play is recognized as an important opportunity for children to learn and explore.

 Be selective with TV watching. Very young children are still learning the difference between what is reality and what is pretend. Some TV images can foster language development, but others can be confusing and frightening. Studies show that the children who do best in school have caregivers who limit their TV time and are selective as to the type of shows that they watch. For older children it can be used to foster discussion, but television should not be used as a babysitter.

 Use discipline as an opportunity to teach. Children need limits and consistent, loving adult supervision. Keep these points in mind:

 Communicate to your child what needs to be done at that moment. Redirect your child's attention or activity by using neutral or positive language. Say no while maintaining love. Give the reason for your rule. Give limited tasks and be specific in your request. Acknowledge children's feelings, but set limits. Help children understand how their actions affect others. Help children use words to communicate their frustrations. Acknowledge positive behavior.

 Recognize that each child is unique. Children have different personalities and temperaments, and grow at different rates. Their self-esteem, in large part, is measured by a caregiver's attitude toward them. Give children specific praise and encouragement: "You climbed the stairs all by yourself!" Through this they begin to see the connections between their actions and a parent's response.

 Choose quality child care and stay involved. Choosing a child care provider is one of the most important decisions that families make. With more dual-income families, child care centers are increasingly the places where children are offered activities and opportunities that foster early brain development. Research shows that high-quality child care and early education provide a strong basis for children's learning and social skills. But what should parents look for in a child care center? According to Dr. Arnold at Children's World, parents should start by visiting a center and observing the interactions and activities between caregivers and children. How does the center look, smell and sound? Are the children actively involved in educational and fun activities, or are they merely being babysat? Do the activities involve the children's senses of smell, touch, taste, etc.? Is the environment full of language and reading opportunities? Is the environment clean and safe? How many teachers are there for the number of children in a classroom? Is the center nationally accredited? After choosing a child care provider, stay involved. Develop a relationship with your child's teacher and center director, and ask lots of questions. Drop in unannounced occasionally. Ask for progress reports.

 Finally, take care of yourself. Parents are the most important part of a child's life, but they need care, too. Because you provide the primary environment for infants and young children, your own health and well-being are extremely important. Don't neglect your own needs for good nutrition, exercise, rest and regular medical care, as well as time for your own interests and friends. In the end, you will be a better parent.