A child’s brain directs and programs every development in the body. Thanks to advances in neuroscience and technological equipment, researchers are now able to see inside the human brain and know more about how children’s brains develop.
1. How does a child’s brain develop?
Most of the brain’s nervous system is established during the first few years of life. At birth, a baby’s brain is only one-quarter the size of an adult brain. But by the age of 2, this central organ has reached three-quarters of the size of an adult. And by the age of 5, the child’s brain size is already very close to the size and mass of an adult.
Of course, this does not mean that preschoolers will know everything like an adult. In addition to the size and mass of the brain, experience also plays a major role. The structures of a child’s brain involved in learning, memory, motor control, and all other functions are established by the age of 5. This is exactly what this development means.
These structures and neural pathways communicate information, used and reused throughout life. Meanwhile, the connecting synapse is the basis of all one’s movements, thoughts, memories, and emotions.
2. Promote brain development
No two brains are exactly alike, not even twins’ brains are alike. The type of synapse created between cells in the brain depends on how a child’s brain is used, the variety and richness of circumstances to which a person is exposed, and genetics.
During the first year of life, when the brain’s key emotional components are being formed, a safe and familiar environment is most important, including lots of cuddling, caressing, and the need to be loved. timely response
In addition, the key to children’s brain development in the first 3 years is to talk, play with and live in a diverse, creative environment. At the same time, their brains need a chance to rest, balance, and reorganize themselves.
Such very simple things are an important premise for children’s brain development in later learning.
3. Create Strong Connected Synapses
Surprisingly, a 2-year-old’s brain has trillions of synapses – twice the number of adults. The brain develops these connections in response to all kinds of input, so it can adapt and survive. Over time, certain synapses are used over and over again, while others fall into oblivion.
This natural process is called neurectomy. This is why it is easier for children to learn to speak a second language at a very young age. If a child’s brain is not exposed to that language regularly, certain synapses will dry up, then the brain can no longer hear or speak easily. This process shows how important habit formation and repetition are for young children. Fixed routines facilitate learning and help a child’s brain understand what information is important.
Although most brain development occurs during the first 3 years of life, the subsequent years of learning continue to nurture a complex and busy brain. Children, especially from about 3 to 6 years old, will easily learn from cultural knowledge to social rules, complex names of dinosaurs, how to play sports and games, and understand directions. instructions, how to use technology devices… However, the impulse control and judgment parts of a child’s brain develop later. They are not fully activated until after adolescence.
Children continue to develop brains as they grow up, so parents should take this “golden time” to promote brain development by playing with children, allowing them to live in diverse, capable environments. think, be creative, and have a reasonable diet and rest.
In addition, children need to be supplemented with zinc daily depending on their age to eat well, reach the correct height and weight and exceed the standard. Zinc plays a role in affecting most biological processes taking place in the body, especially the breakdown of nucleic acids, and proteins… Organs in the body when zinc deficiency can lead to a There are several diseases such as neurological disorders, irritability, etc. Therefore, parents need to learn about the role of zinc and guide them to appropriate zinc supplementation for their children.
In addition to zinc, parents also need to supplement their children with other important vitamins and minerals such as lysine, chromium, B vitamins,….