Does environment play any role in your child’s cognitive development? I am sure most of us agree that yes, it plays a huge role. However, the real question is to what extent? There are various factors that play an influential role in the baby’s overall growth and development. Growth which begins from the time of conception, prenatal stage.
A child’s life begins in the womb, and so is the journey of growth and development. Early years of growth are very crucial, especially the prenatal developmental stage and a few years post birth. Though the developmental journey of the brain continues even in later years, first 6 – 8 years are most important.
Brain development depends on a few crucial aspects –
Baby’s cognitive development highly depends on the internal and external environmental factors. Genetics carries a lot of weight; however, the key to positive child development lies in nurturing and cognitive learning.
Mother’s nutrition during pregnancy, parenting, and exposure to the outer world all impact cognition. It is important for a mother to take care of her nutrition. She can even take SimMim IQ+ that is enriched with vital nutrients such as DHA, Choline Iron Zinc, and Iodine. It supports foetal brain development and has antioxidants like vitamin E and C that supports immunity.
Nurturing –
Prenatal stage – the nine months of pregnancy are the basic building grounds for the child’s growth. Baby gets direct nutrition from her/his mother, any deviance from the basic nutrition can be fatal for the mother as well as the child.
The foetal growth responses during this stage are mainly due to physical and mental stimulus. This stage is most vulnerable and is also considered a stepping stone for future growth. Hence, the mother’s nutrition during pregnancy marks the highest status.
Breastfeed – Natural Immunity Booster for the Baby –
Mother’s milk is enriched with life-saving nutrients and are considered most crucial for the baby. I strongly recommend exclusive breastfeeding the baby for the first six months. However, for some reasons, if the baby cannot be breastfed, formula milk can also be prescribed by the expert advisor.
“For your new-born, no food is better than breast milk, and the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding as the optimal source of nutrition for the baby for the first six months of life. 90% of the baby’s brain growth happens up to 1 year of age. Breast milk contains IQ nutrients like DHA, Iron, Choline, and Taurine.” – Ref 1.
Lack of nutrition during pregnancy result in insufficient elements to create a healthy internal growth environment for the baby. Which might expose the child to diseases in later stages.
Family Bonding & Emotional Connect –
Parents create a healthy bond with the baby during pregnancy and after birth. Family plays an important role in our development; this bond creates and imbibes the basic structure of our core. For example, the happy lively family brings self-confidence and social acceptability in a child. On the other hand, negative and abusive childhood adds to mental and physical suffering.
Family brings a feeling of security and safety; hence, a healthy and positive family is the perfect platform for a child’s cognitive growth. It also plays a major role in developing the emotional quotient of a child.
In a family, the child also grows under the influence of different parenting styles. Extended families and well-bonded relationships establish positivity during early growth years in the children. In nuclear families, equal parenting by both parents bring newer perspective to children and they learn beyond the role of gender biases.
Exposure to the External Environment –
Schools, friends, society, surrounding, and learning, etc marks a huge impact on the child’s growth. Kids spend most of their time outside home and family, and hence their interaction with the outer world is more as compared to that of family.
This bargains a huge importance in the child’s mental/cognitive development. Along with interactions, various cognitive or learning activities also help in accelerating child’s growth. Cognitive growth cannot be processed or calculated, it is an ongoing activity which gives right challenges to the brain for growth. When we do not expose children to challenges, mental activities, inquisitiveness, the cognitive growth slows down.
According to the World Health Organization, inadequate learning opportunities are one of the biggest contributors to a disruption in development.
Everything, right from family to school, pregnancy to external exposure and right nutrition in growth years, all should be taken into consideration for providing a conducive environment for child’s growth.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE –
© Dipika Singh. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dipika Singh (Gleefulblogger). With the right and specific direction to the original content.
DISCLAIMER –
The content is not for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Reference 1. Nutrition supplement for pregnant women.
27 Comments
Very well written, Dipika! You have covered all the important aspects of environmental influence on baby’s cognitive growth. I feel family bond, emotional connection & a happy positive home environment is something which parents don’t pay much heed to when it comes to their baby’s development, but that is one of the most important factors which has direct influence on baby’s growth & brain development.
I have no doubts that a lot of parents would have this question on their mind. Your detailed and explanatory post should answer them and pt their mind at ease.
Hi Dipika,
Excellent post with in-depth information. This is such a valuable post for the parents. It is important to pay upmost attention to our baby’s health.
Thanks for sharing, have a good day.
Ekdum sahi kaha aapne, bahut detail n sab kuch related ??
I agree that these three factors play an important role in the cognitive development of the baby. Nutrition, and stimulation work together to boost cognitive development.
Exposure to outside environment is as important as having an environment of love and affection at home. All of these provide a positive place for a baby to grow up and have better cognitive development.
Providing a safe and secure environment to babies and indulging in brain stimulating activities is so important, you have covered them so well.
A very informative post i must say! Such detailing and yes its very important to look after children while they are growing. Good article, very well written and researched.
Thank you for sharing this important information. All parents must read this post so that they are fully equipped to raise a healthy and happy child.
I thoroughly loved reading the post. I second each word and I hope I can follow all these points and help my child grow perfectly.
This is such a nice post Dipika. This post is so valuable for parents. In order to maintain cognitive development both nutrition and stimulation work together. Keep sharing such nice post.
Totally agree that ,these three things plays an important role in kids cognitive growth.. Exposure to outer environment and family bonding both are really strong points..
very interesting and informative post. Proper nutrition and safe healthy environment are important to simulate brain activities.
This is a must read post for parents. Environment and many other factors effect a baby’s brain development and boost cognition.
Vowww this is such a well articulated article. Parents need to read and understand this. It’s very important for a child
To take all the challenges
I love your every point, very clearly you define the all important aspects of environmental influence on baby’s daily growth… Very important article for every parents..
Truly thoughtful and knowledgeable article.As a parent we need to be so careful and protective of our kids in their growing days.
Very important topic I must say. The initial years are critical for a baby’s growth and all these points should be taken care of by both the parents.
This is great information Dipika. Though parents get so exhausted at times and may miss a lot of these things. but this is surely helpful. sharing right away
I totally agree that many environmental factors effects kids growth..we as parents must take a look and give them right and correct growth
this is a informational post. great post for parents and is a must read for everyone.
A very informative post for new mom’s. I didn’t know that external factors too affect the cpgnitico development of a child.
Cognitive development is a multifaceted feature. This post is very helpful to understand about environmental factors.
Thanks for sharing this with me, I think it’s really important to know about this as parents… These factord affect a lot
Well written post!! Inadequate learning opportunities will lead to disruption in growth…We need to offer these opportunities to them
Beautifully explained. Health, nutrition, emotional behavior, outdoors..everything contributes.
Great post. One can never underestimate or undermine the importance of external factors in a child’s brain development alongwith physical development.