It may seem obvious how children grow up and interact, but there is still so much we don't understand. I find the idea that my research can contribute to a better understanding of early child development incredibly valuable. (Text continues below).
The question ‘Why?’ has always been there. Ever since my own childhood, I have had a curious urge to understand what I see around me.
My name is Hilde Althof and I am doing PhD research at the Donders Institute, within the “BabyBrain” and “Intention and Action” research groups. We study how children aged zero to six years develop, both in terms of behaviour and brain development. My specific focus is on communication: how do young children interact, how does this work in their brain, and what can we learn from this for wider application? To do this, I visit nurseries to observe how children play together, and measure their brain activity and growth at different ages to study patterns and changes in communication.
Children learn incredibly quickly, which never ceases to amaze me. They develop almost before your eyes, every day they learn something new, make new connections. Sometimes I think as adults we forget how special that is, how quickly a child can learn something and apply it all at once. It always touches me to see that, not only at work but also in my own family. Every time I see my one-and-a-half-year-old nephew, he seems to have become a different person. This inspires me to go on and explore deeper and deeper.
The path of a young researcher is not always easy. In the first few months, I regularly felt overwhelmed, but almost a year later, I have found my niche. Doing research is not just collecting data; it is also a process of falling down, getting up, and overcoming obstacles. What I have learnt here in this short time has made me grow as a person and as a researcher.
The impact of our work goes beyond science. Parents often ask me what my research can do for them and their children. I focus my research on developing children and am discovering more and more about how important social interactions are for their development. For example, previous research showed that children who have more diverse social interactions tend to develop better communication skills. More days at the nursery may mean they are better able to adapt to the needs of their interaction partner later in life. These insights give parents tools to make choices that can support their children.
Therefore, my research also has a practical side. It helps us understand how children grow and develop, and in doing so, we can ultimately contribute to a society where children have the best chance to develop to their full potential. For me, that is the best thing about my work: knowing that my curiosity and passion contribute to something meaningful for the world around us.
Hopefully my story will inspire you to keep looking at the world with an open mind, just like a child discovering its environment for the first time.
People of Donders
Behind every scientific discovery lies a story. A story of scientists and staff driven by curiosity and perseverance. What motivates them to delve into the complex world of the brain day in and day out? What continues to fascinate them? What challenges do they face? And what does their work mean to them personally? In the People of Donders series you will meet the people behind the science, discover their passions, and learn what they think is most fascinating about our brains.