Supporting Your Baby’s Brain Development
Early experiences lay the foundation for life
The basic structure of the human brain is built through an ongoing process that begins before birth and continues into adulthood. Like the construction of a home, the building process begins with laying the foundation, framing the rooms, and wiring the electrical system in a specific order. Early experiences literally shape how the brain gets built; a strong foundation in the early years increases the chance of positive outcomes. A weak foundation increases the odds of later difficulties.
What Can Parents Do?
It starts with a healthy pregnancy. Babies’ brains start to develop shortly after conception, so it is important to have a healthy pregnancy right from the beginning. A healthy pregnancy includes: receiving good prenatal care; taking prenatal vitamins; eating healthy foods; avoiding alcohol, drugs and cigarettes; and finding support from friends, family and your community.
Make sure babies get all the nutrients they need. Proper nutrition helps brains grow. Breast milk is the best thing you can feed newborns. For older children, make sure they get enough healthy food and nutrients to support their growth.
Have regular visit your health care professional. Make sure your child gets all of their vaccinations on time and has regular check-ups with a health care professional.
Explore the world with your baby. Babies’ brains develop through their senses; everything a baby sees, tastes, touches, feels and smells is shaping their brain. Babies love to explore, so baby-proof your home so you can discover the world safely with your baby.
The interactive influences of genes and experience shape the developing brain
The active ingredient is the “serve and return” relationships between babies and their parents and other caregivers in their family or community. Like the process of serve and return in games such as tennis and volleyball, young children naturally reach out for interaction through babbling and facial expressions. If adults do not respond by getting in sync and doing the same kind of vocalizing and gesturing back at them, the child’s learning process is incomplete. This can make it hard to learn later in life.
What Can Parents Do?
Respond to your child’s needs appropriately to form a secure relationship. Moms, dads, family members and other care givers who form close attachments with babies by responding to their needs, comforting them, and loving them are helping their brains grow.
Talk, sing and read to your baby often. Babies need to hear lots of language to learn how to communicate. Talk, sing and read to your baby often to let them hear the different sounds of your language.
Give young children free time to play and explore their surroundings. Play is how babies and young children learn. Babies need a lot of time to explore their surroundings and play with adults and other children.
Stress disrupts the developing brain
Highly stressful, long-term conditions such as extreme poverty, abuse, or severe maternal depression — what scientists now call “toxic stress” — can also disrupt the structure of the developing brain. This can lead to lifelong difficulties in learning, memory and self-regulation. We know that children who are exposed to serious early stress develop an inflated stress response that, over time, weakens their defense system against diseases, from heart disease to diabetes and depression.
What Can Parents Do?
Provide predictable routines and a safe environment at home. Help children stay calm by providing predictable daily routines and a safe, loving environment. Ensure daycare, preschool and community environments are safe too.
Get the help you need. If you are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Reach out to community supports that are available to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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