DID you know that at birth, a human brain is about the same size as a chimpanzee brain? However, although a chimpanzee’s brain expands only 28% by adulthood, a human’s brain expands by almost 300%!

Brain development is a long process starting from the womb, continuing throughout the teen years and sometimes even into the 20s. Nutrition and environment play a huge role in brain growth as most of our brain develops after birth. The development occurs at an explosive rate within the first few years, with a child’s brain growing to almost 90% of its adult size before the age of four.

At birth, there are over 100 billion brain cells, which means that there are enough brain cells to learn just about anything. These brain cells are similar to a mass of unconnected electrical wires in which the brain constantly strives to connect. Brain cells are no longer generated after birth and those that are not used will wither away in a process known as “pruning”. Beyond that, the brain is mostly shaped through a process we have come to know as learning.

How does a child learn?

Learning is a lifelong process, though it’s at its peak between the ages of three and 10. During the first 10 years of life, teaching music, language and other lifelong skills will be easier as the brain “sharpens” the most during this period. Good brain development occurs with warm encouragement and positive words from parents, while severe stress can actually affect the development of the brain, especially if it goes on for many months or years in early childhood.

Children also learn about the world through their five basic senses: Sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

Sight – Younger children are able to watch moving objects, distinguish colour and form as well as develop hand-eye coordination within the first few months. They learn to understand the world around them through observation. In fact, 75-90% of what your child learns is through sight.

Sound – A child can understand and recognise sounds from the time he is born. By talking to him and exposing him to different sounds, he learns to recognise various sounds quickly and easily.

Touch – Younger children learn to explore things around them by feeling the different textures and also put things into their mouth to feel with their most sensitive organ – the tongue.

Taste – Younger children will put almost anything into their mouths just to explore the taste and texture.

Smell – Recognising their mothers through smell, younger children will start to recognise other family members the same way, and recognising other smells such as drinks, foods or scents.

Although learning is a process that continues throughout life, there is a certain “prime time” when the brain is like a “super-sponge”, absorbing new information easily and developing in giant leaps.

From the moment a child is born until he is at least six months old, breast milk provides all the nutrients necessary for optimal brain growth. After that, it is important that you continue to breastfeed and provide your child with a healthy and balanced diet to ensure that he gets all the nutrients needed for ongoing and future brain development.

In addition, brain development can be further enhanced through interactions between parent and child, such as through touch, play and sound.

Essential nutrients

It is important to provide your child with a diet that is varied so that he gets all the nutrients necessary for brain growth. Here are some nutrients that help enhance brain development in children:

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) are the major fatty acids involved in the formation of grey matter. Studies show that these fatty acids help to improve mental development as children who received supplements of the fatty acids showed great improvements in reading, spelling and behaviour compared with those who did not.

Some sources of DHA and AA include breast milk, fish oil, walnuts and eggs. Another nutrient, choline, found in egg yolk and broccoli, is necessary for brain development and also to improve memory function in children as it supports the activities of the nervous system.

Taurine aids in the development of the brain and nervous system, in visual pathways, as well as for cardiac function. Furthermore, taurine is an essential amino acid in a child’s diet, as they are unable to produce this amino acid. Taurine can be found in foods such as meat and fish.

Phospholipids too, are important for optimal brain health as it helps improve brain cell communication, which is important for learning, memory and other mental functions. Good sources of phospholipids are eggs and milk.

Iron, a vital nutrient for brain development that impacts behaviour and intelligence, can be found in red meat, liver, shellfish, and lean chicken. It helps build neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit information around the brain and nervous system.

Zinc and antioxidants, found in prunes, raisins and blueberries, are nutrients that are essential for cell growth and division. These fruits are also able to protect cells in the brain and central nervous system.

Have fun with your children!

Fun and games are part and parcel of growing up. Children usually learn from the games that they play, as well as through interactions with parents and other siblings. Any other kind of interaction too will bring about positive brain development in your child.

Hold and touch your child as much as possible. Research has shown that a child gains weight easily, crys less and is more alert when gently massaged three times a day for 15 minutes.

Develop your child’s hearing and language skills. Connections are formed through repetitions. Always talk to your child, name items, point to things and show expression on your face.

Use music and develop math skills! Complex musical sounds help children develop the same areas of the brain that are required for math and spatial reasoning. Mazes, copying patterns and drawing shapes have also been shown to improve with music.

Teach your child whenever possible. You can teach your child new things every single day, wherever you may be.

Name items, colours and count when dressing your child. Let your toddler play with plastic cups and plates when fixing dinner. When driving around, you can point out the things such as trees, cars, big trucks and sign boards.

The earlier years of your child’s life is very important for all types of development, including brain growth. It is crucial that proper nutrition be given during these times to ensure better brain development and thus improve and support your child’s learning capabilities.

Dr Khoo Boo Aik is a consultant paediatrician & neonatologist. This article is courtesy of Positive Parenting Nutrition Programme by Malaysian Paediatric Association in collaboration with Nutrition Society of Malaysia, and supported by an educational grant from Abbott Nutrition International. For more information, please visit www.mypositiveparenting.org.