Did you know that a child is born with all the neurons (brain cells) they will have through their life? A crucial part of a child's brain development actually occurs during pregnancy. However, it is the early years, after birth, when these neurons build essential connections and synapses form at a more rapid rate than at any other time in our lives. These connections and synapses are what help us learn and function effectively within our environment.
What might be more surprising to learn is that 90% of brain development will take place by the time a child turns 5. So, the early years are a critical stage that will determine h ow we think, move, communicate and actually do everything for the rest of our lives. This is why parents should take special care to ensure the right nutrition, while providing a caring environment that encourages the child to try new things and learn. The good news is that even if your child is a picky eater, you can ensure adequate nutrition with the use of a fortified milk powder, such as Enfagrow A+, which not only provides the right balance of nutrients but is enriched with DHA, which promoted brain development.
How the Brain Develops
The first thing you should know as a parent is that the brain develops in different ways at different ages.
- 6-12 Months: Understanding cause and effect and object permanence. This is when your child almost seems like a scientist, throwing things off their high chair and then peering over to see if they are still there on the ground.
- 1 Year: This is when you find your child imitating others. They might pick up your mobile phone and put it to their ear and pretend to talk.
- 2 Years: This is when independent thinking emerges, and the child wants to do things on their own. It might cause anxiety to you as a parent but do allow them to explore their environment, albeit under supervision.
- 3 Years: Are you tired of your child asking hundreds of questions? This is the age when they become thinkers, seeking answers to everything they see or experience.
- 4 Years: Your child will begin to role play at this age. Playing with cooking sets and having pretend doll parties. This is good news because their imagination is growing.
- 5 Years: An awareness of the self as being a separate entity and wanting others to like them is a key characteristic at this age. Your child might seem like the ultimate people pleaser at this age.
- 6 Years: This is the time when possibly the most critical development occurs. Your child will learn to empathize at this time. They will show concern for others and that's always a good thing.
How Can You Help?
As a parent, your role is to foster your child's brain development. The environment in which the child is brought up plays a big role in this. While the nature vs. nurture debate might rage on, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention states that a child's experience with other people and their surrounding can either nurture brain growth or have a devastating effect if the environment is one of neglect or extreme/chronic stress. And, the most important people at this time are the parents, who can ensure a caring and responsive environment for the child. This is how the child will learn to build trust, feel secure and develop in a healthy manner.
So, talk to them, sing and read to them, play with them and encourage them to explore the world around them in a safe manner. In addition, ensure that they are receiving the right balance of nutrients to foster brain development, such as adding a fortified milk powder like Enfagrow A+ to their daily diet.