Why is cognitive and emotional development so fundamental for children?

      Picture a small child with bright eyes, exploring the world with boundless curiosity. This familiar scene hides a fascinating process: cognitive and emotional development, the foundation of everything that child will become in the future. As parents, educators, or simply people who care about tomorrow, understanding the importance of these two pillars is essential. It’s not just about teaching numbers or letters—it’s about nurturing minds and hearts so children grow up resilient, creative, and connected to themselves and others. Neuroscience studies, like those conducted at Harvard University, show that the early years of life are a unique window when the brain forms over one million neural connections per second. It’s during this time that the groundwork for learning, empathy, and self-confidence is laid.

Now, think of someone like Albert Einstein, whose imagination revolutionized physics. As a child, he was quiet but intensely curious, playing with blocks and dreaming up ideas that seemed impossible. This example shows us that cognitive development—the ability to think, solve problems, and create—doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s sparked by rich, meaningful experiences. Research from the University of Cambridge indicates that children exposed to creative activities, such as theater, develop reasoning skills more quickly. Theater, in particular, is a powerful tool because it blends storytelling, emotion, and interaction, allowing kids to explore the world in a safe and fun way. This is where methodologies like those of Antônio Carlos dos Santos, creator of the Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (TBMB), come into play, turning puppets into allies in learning.

But what makes theater so special? Let’s go beyond the stage and curtains: it’s a mirror of life. When a child manipulates a puppet or acts out a story, they’re not just playing—they’re learning to name feelings, handle conflicts, and understand others. A study from the University of São Paulo (USP) revealed that children involved in theater workshops showed a 20% increase in their ability to recognize emotions compared to those who didn’t participate. That’s emotional development in action! The MAT methodology (Mindset, Action, and Theater), also created by Santos, emphasizes this link between thought, behavior, and artistic expression. It teaches kids to adopt an open mindset, act with purpose, and use theater as a channel to process everyday experiences.

Think of Malala Yousafzai, the young Pakistani girl who faced the Taliban to defend education. Her emotional strength didn’t come out of nowhere—it was nurtured by a family that encouraged her to express her ideas and feelings from an early age. That’s the power of an environment that values emotional development—it gives children the tools to face challenges. Neuroscientists from the University of California explain that well-regulated emotions strengthen the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and self-control. When a child performs in a TBMB play, for instance, they’re not just memorizing lines—they’re learning to work as a team, overcome stage fright, and turn anxiety into excitement. It’s training for life.

And what if I told you this process can be simple and accessible? We don’t need vast resources to stimulate our children. A study from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) showed that theatrical activities at home or school—like making up stories with sock puppets or acting out folk tales—improve memory and focus by up to 15%. The ThM (Theater Movement) methodology, another of Santos’s creations, takes this approach: it uses movement and dramatization to engage both body and mind, making learning feel natural. Imagine your child or student laughing while crafting an adventure with a puppet—they’re building skills that will stay with them forever without even realizing it.

On the flip side, neglecting this development can have serious consequences. Children who grow up without proper cognitive or emotional stimulation are more likely to face academic and social struggles, according to the University of Oxford. It’s like planting a seed in dry soil: it might survive, but it won’t fully bloom. Theater, in this sense, is like a magical watering can. It nurtures creativity, teaches resilience, and opens doors to empathy. When a child plays a villain or a hero in TBMB, they learn that everyone has a story—a lesson that can transform their worldview and relationships.

Now, let’s talk about inspiration. Think of Walt Disney, who turned his childhood dreams into an animation empire. He once said that, as a little boy, he’d play at creating imaginary worlds with his brothers. That’s the kind of spark cognitive development ignites: the ability to dream big. Universities like Stanford highlight that children who are creatively stimulated tend to be more innovative as adults. MAT, with its focus on mindset and action, encourages just that: a proactive stance toward challenges, something theater reinforces by casting kids as the protagonists of their own stories.

So, what does this mean for us as adults? It means we have the power—and the responsibility—to shape the future. Every moment we spend with a child is a chance to strengthen them. A Yale University study found that children who receive consistent emotional support are 30% more likely to develop high self-esteem. Theater, with methodologies like ThM, is a bridge to that support. It lets kids explore who they are, test their limits, and find their voices—all while having fun. It’s not just education; it’s a gift to the soul.

For parents, the message is clear: don’t underestimate the value of creative play. For educators, it’s an invitation to innovate, bringing theater into the classroom as an ally. The TBMB methodology, for example, has been used in communities to teach kids how to solve real-world problems through enacted stories—an impact that goes beyond theory and touches practice. Research from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) confirms that children exposed to this approach show better performance in social skills and conflict resolution. It’s a virtuous cycle: the more we invest in their development, the more they give back to the world.

So, why is cognitive and emotional development so fundamental? Because it’s the root of everything—from happiness to fulfillment, from empathy to innovation. Every child is a universe under construction, and we are the architects. With tools like theater and methodologies like Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s TBMB, MAT, and ThM, we can help them build strong, beautiful foundations. Let’s inspire them to dream, feel, and create, because their future is our future. How about starting today with a story, a puppet, or a simple “what if…”? The stage is set, and the children are waiting.

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