5 Vital Elements that Support Children’s Brain Development
- Introduction
- Importance of maximising a baby’s brain development
- Important nutrients vital to children’s brain development
- Conclusion
The best time to boost the brain and improve it is at a young age. A child’s early years are a time of intensive and quick brain development. It is important to incorporate measures that will support this development so children can have a strong foundation for brain development. Consequently, it contributes to the future of children, allowing a groundbreaking change in society in the future. A baby’s early experiences mould the structure of its brain, establishing the groundwork for later learning, behaviour, and general well-being.
The following explains why it is so important to maximise a baby’s brain development:
I know lots of mummies and daddies want their children to be intelligent, bright, and sharp. The best foundation to lay is to start developing the child’s brain now, and here is why you should start now:
Lifelong Learning: Cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, and language learning are dependent on the connections made in the brain throughout birth and early childhood. It has a strong influence on school achievement and even beyond school.
Emotional Intelligence: Through interactions with parents or other carers, babies develop an understanding of and ability to control their emotions, contributing to their mental health in the future. Empathy, emotional stability, and solid social bonds are all promoted by healthy brain development, which builds the character at such a young age into adulthood if proper measures are still followed.
Physical Health: There is a connection between the growth and development of the brain and the body. Good sleep habits, a healthy diet, and sensory stimulation all support mental and physical health, allowing children to explore their vision and purpose in society.
Lower Risk of Issues: Children who develop their brains to their full potential are less likely to face behavioural problems, mental health difficulties, or learning disabilities in the future.
We are giving our kids a better, happier, and more prosperous future by making investments in their early brain development. So how do we support this course:
Good Food! The place of good food can never be overemphasised. The problem is that most people do not know the place of good food in brain development and health, among which are parents. There are parents who even heavily indulge in junk food for their kids instead of healthy foods. We leave things to chance so much and expect things to go smoothly and without a hitch. To experience societal catalysts, it is important to understand that the kids today will dominate the world tomorrow after we leave, and if their bodies lack essential nutrients, then the future is sure to be lacking in many ways. Besides, children’s brains are developing quickly, and diet is very important to this process. The necessary building blocks for brain cells, neurotransmitters, and general cognitive function are found in healthy diets only, not junk.
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Important nutrients/elements vital to children’s brain development
Omega-3 fatty acids: The formation, communication, and proper functioning of brain cells depend on omega-3 fatty acids. They aid in memory, learning, and mood control. Rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, and sardines).Omega-3 fatty acids should not be substituted for junk foods!
Proteins
Proteins are essential for the development and maintenance of brain tissue. They contribute to the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which control behaviour and mood. In addition to benefiting the brain, proteins also build and repair other tissues in the body like the skin, nails, hair, gum health and many more. Lean meats, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, and seeds are rich sources of protein that should be incorporated into children’s diets for the adequate processing and transmission of information in their brains.
Whole Grains
The brain requires energy for adequate functioning. Glucose from whole grains supplies brain energy continuously. They have B vitamins, which are vital for healthy brain function. Whole grains include brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread and muesli. Just to be clear; it’s whole wheat bread, not agege bread!
Fruits and Vegetables
Antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals included in fruits and vegetables help to stabilise cognitive performance and preserve brain cells. Berries, leafy greens, citrus fruits, carrots, bananas, pineapples, watermelons, broccoli and many more all support cognitive performance when eaten consistently.
Other essential nutrients include iron, zinc, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and many more.
Safe and Natural Skincare Products
Just like adults, beyond what babies consume, what is used on their skin seeps into their skin, which affects their organs, including the brain. The brain may or may not be directly affected; regardless, any organ affected will hurt children’s total wellness, which may lead to social dissociation, emotional instability, mood swings, and many more.
Choosing unsafe skincare products can inhibit kids’ brain development, which could lead to poor assimilation, slow processing of information, and even brain-related diseases. While skincare is crucial for newborns, poor skin care practices or the use of toxic products can cause skin disorders and possibly harm internal organs. It is an excellent choice to choose pure and 100% natural skincare products for children.
Using gentle, pure, and natural skin care products for your kids will contribute to their total well-being beyond just catering to their skin alone. A product made from natural materials like orange, rice, hibiscus, grape, and many more can seep into the skin without causing any harm to kids’ organs and skin. Looking out for safe skincare as a parent is a great investment into your kid’s total well-being.
Harmful skincare can damage baby’s:
- Hormone: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including parabens, phthalates, and triclosan, may disrupt a child’s hormone development and may harm internal organs.
- Liver and kidneys: The kidneys and liver of infants are still developing, and exposure to some skin care products and hazardous substances may damage these organs, impairing the proper development or growth of children.
- Immune system: Some skin care products may impair babies’ immune systems, making them more prone to diseases and infections.
Children’s brain development is highly dependent on what they consume and what penetrates their skin. Parents providing a healthy diet with a gentle and natural product for the total well-being of their kids contribute largely to proper brain functioning. Beautiful skin with a sharp mind can never be underrated in society. Believe it or not, beauty with brains is power! Begin a healthy diet to improve your kid’s brain development and couple it with safe, gentle, and natural skincare to support the overall well-being of your kids.
