The science of early brain development
We didn't invent these ideas. We just made them accessible—and fun. Here's the research that shaped everything we do.
50%
of brain development
happens by age 1
50+
years of research
backing our approach
1:1
caregiver ratio
the gold standard
The Window of Plasticity
50% of a person's brain develops by the time they're 1 year old.
This rapid development creates something called a "window of plasticity." We can change our brains at any time—and we do, whenever we learn a new habit or skill—but it's easier than ever during this window.
The brain changes so rapidly during this time because it's designed to help the baby adapt to a wide variety of families and environments. Imagine how much an Eskimo baby in 2025 differs from an Italian baby in 1200 A.D.! While some of those differences are genetic, a significant portion has to do with how the baby's brain develops from 0–1, shaped by the people and experiences around them.
How babies actually learn
Brain development happens through acquiring interrelated skills, grouped into what scientists call Developmental Constructs.
Cognitive Development
Object permanence, cause and effect, problem-solving abilities
Language Development
Vocabulary building, sound recognition, early communication
Motor Skills
Fine and gross motor control, coordination, body awareness
Social-Emotional
Attachment, emotional regulation, social awareness
Your baby's brain health isn't defined by whether they can perform a game of peekaboo—it's defined by whether they understand that things can disappear and reappear again. That's a cognitive skill called object permanence, and it's one of many building blocks in your baby's mental world.
The theory behind it all
The Zone of Proximal Development
One of the most renowned child development researchers, Lev Vygotsky, proposed a framework for how development is influenced by interaction with others.
His idea: while some skills are innate—like sucking or grasping—all subsequent learning happens through collaboration with a more knowledgeable person, typically a caregiver.
When the caregiver deliberately supports—or "scaffolds"—the development of the next skill, learning becomes both faster and more effective.
This concept of scaffolding became a cornerstone of many early education strategies, including one of the most rigorously studied approaches in child development history.
The Abecedarian Project
The Abecedarian Approach stands out for its long-term positive effects on children's cognitive, academic, and social outcomes. One of its most unique features is its emphasis on brief, engaging games played between a caregiver and a child, woven into everyday moments.
The results were astonishing—children in the Abecedarian program showed higher IQ scores, better academic performance, and improved long-term outcomes well into adulthood.
So why hasn't it been implemented more broadly?
The ratio problem: The approach requires a 1:2 caregiver-to-child ratio—something virtually impossible in most professional childcare settings.
The engagement problem: When the Abecedarian team published a book of their games, many parents and nannies complained that the activities were too basic. They felt boring and unengaging—even though they were research-based and effective.
This is where Sensiboo comes in
We applied the research of renowned scientists like Vygotsky to create an ever-growing collection of interactive games for parents and babies ages 0–1. These games are designed for caregivers just as much as for babies.
Because caregivers tend to think in terms of wake windows, we've organized our content into what we call Adventures—hour-long audio episodes that guide you through a series of playful, developmentally-rich activities on a specific theme, from hot air balloons to fire trucks to fashion shows.
Research-grounded
Based on proven science
Actually fun
For you AND baby
Screen-free
Audio-guided play
"Giving your baby the best start is easier—and more fun—than anyone expected."
We're bringing the robust body of child development research into the "real world," one wake window at a time.
Ready to try research-backed play?
30 adventures designed to support your baby's development—without the boring parts.
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