A child grows and learns faster during his first three years than at any other time in his entire life. Encouragement from mothers and fathers is what makes a child eager to learn, to become more intelligent and alert as he grows. Talk, read, sing to your child. Listen to what he's trying to tell you. Lack of his special attention can cause serious problems. Sometimes a certain type of mental retardation. Fortunately, this is a healthy, normal youngster. I'm Lucy Nidge, and this is her son.