7 ways to promote young brain development

MSc.BS.Cki Hap Tien Loc, Pediatric Department, Tam Anh Clinic District 7, said that the brain of children grew rapidly in the first three years of life, affecting all daily activities. The skills of thinking, learning, solving problems reflect intellectual development. Here are ways to enhance brain useful for children.

Eat enough quality

In the first year of life, most nutrients provide children with breast milk or formula milk. Children drink milk regularly provide enough essential nutrients for development. When switching to weaning, children should eat a variety of colorful foods and groups to nourish the body.

Young brains have high energy demand, using more than 50% of total energy available in the body. Carbohydrate provides the main energy that activates brain function. Parents should change carbohydrates in children’s meals including rice, sweet potatoes, potatoes, corn, beans, whole grains, fruits, green vegetables … In addition to carbohydrates, meals need enough protein, fiber, lipid, vitamins and minerals to support the comprehensive growth of children.

Additional omega-3

According to Dr. Loc, add omega-3 fatty acids to the diet to enhance the child’s central nervous system. Three essential omega-3 types that the body cannot synthesize include ALA, DHA, EPA. In which DHA is an important component of the brain, is responsible for building brain cells, connecting neurons, protecting nerve cells from damage. DHA is abundant in breast milk, fat fish (salmon, mackerel, herring …), fish oil, seaweed.

EPA, ALA contribute to increasing sensitivity between neurons, helping to improve memory, concentration and learning ability of children. Fatty fish, fish oil, nuts (flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts …) contain these two types of Omega-3. Doctors advise parents to feed children two parts of 75 g fish per week because it is good for the brain and vision.

Getting enough sleep

Sleep is important for children, necessary for babies because the brain is still developing and processing information. Sleeping 9-10 hours a night helps to strengthen memory, acquiring more knowledge. Lack of sleep affects the ability to concentrate, other cognitive functions in children.

Turn off electronic devices an hour before bed, keep the room temperature suitable for children to sleep comfortably. Parents forge their children to sleep, wake up on time to form a consistent habit, build healthy sleep.

Strengthen activities in nature

Nature stimulates the senses, the ability to observe the world around them, which is beneficial for the child’s brain development. This is a learning environment to help children improve mobilization skills, thinking, creativity, problem solving, and language expansion. Outdoor activities are still very important for mental health, release endorphins, reduce stress, anxiety, encourage children’s confidence and independence.

Play with children

Children need time to explore, learn through games, observe and experience practice. Parents can improve their concentration through games such as puzzles, chess, letters, memory games … Parents chat, sing, read books, draw pictures … attract the active participation of children. Tell your children about what parents do, encourage children to share personal thoughts, nurture imagination and creativity.

Reading is one of the best ways to promote the young brain to develop. Before your baby can identify letters, read books to start language skills and communication. Listening to the picture in the book helps children identify objects, actions … 2-5 years old children should only watch TV, phone … Maximum an hour a day with parents or adults to create connection with the real world, understand what they are watching.

Family connection

The love and care of parents or caregivers help children feel safe. This is one of the important factors that contribute to promoting intelligence, deep learning ability.

Spending time with your child can build a link between parents and children, creating a foundation for other relationships. This also trains social – emotional skills, communication – awareness in children. Talking often with children can also increase non -language ability such as comparison, analysis, evaluation, criticism.

Encourage children

Parents should encourage children’s independence but intervene when necessary, introduce new ideas, teach children to persevere in finding solutions for problems. Children participate in housework simply such as folding clothes, folding pillows, making cakes … Instead of doing everything for children, adults should guide, suggest, provide support tools or analyze problems into smaller parts to make it easier to solve.

Dr. Loc notes parents, each child is an independent individual, which can grow faster or slower in some areas compared to other fields. Parents need to listen to understand their children better, create conditions for their children to promote optimal strengths.