Did you know that the first five years of a child’s brain development will impact how successful the child will be for the rest of his life?
It is the so-called “critical period” — a phase where the brain cell connections are more flexible and receptive to the influence of life experiences.
If you miss out on this window of opportunity, it might be harder for your child to cope with the ever-changing world.
Based on “Why Early Childhood Matters” published in First Things First (https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/early-childhood-matters/brain-development/), 90 percent of brain growth happens before kindergarten.
Research confirms the first five years of life are considered to be a rapid and dynamic period for brain development. Most brain processes during that period will have an impact on the developing brain.
Much like electrical wires — or the fiber optics that connect us to the internet — billions of brain cells called neurons send electrical signals to communicate to each other. These connections form circuits and become the basic foundation of brain architecture.
A good example of this is when a child is exposed to different languages at an early age, he tends to become a good linguist when he matures. This is because the circuit and connection on language were strengthened through repeated use so the child’s ability to learn a certain language becomes easier.
For a child to develop into a healthy, capable, and successful adult, brain development in the early years of childhood is crucial.
According to the Center on the Developing Child of Harvard University, the early years provide the “building blocks” for successful “architecture of the brain,” and higher-level abilities that come later in life, such as problem-solving, emotional maturity, and communication, are developed and formed through brain connections made during the first five years.
Studies also show that in the first five years, nutrition plays a crucial role in brain development.
Two experts — Sarah Cusick, Ph.D., and Michael Georgieff, MD — published an article entitled “The Role of Nutrition in Brain Development: The Golden Opportunity of the First 1,000 days” on PubMed Central, a biomedical and life sciences journal literature from the US National Library of Medicine. The article notes that among the factors that influence early brain development, three stand out as having particularly intense effects: provision of optimal nutrition including brain food; presence of strong social support and/or secure attachment; and the reduction of toxic stress and inflammation.
The brain is vulnerable during this period so proper nutrition helps regulate brain development. Deficiencies in nutrients such as iron, zinc, and choline which are commonly found in milk can significantly alter the brain, as well as cognitive outcomes.
Filipino foods that boost brain power include milk, eggs, fish, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, citrus fruits high in vitamin C, and berries. For infants, the most accessible will be milk with phospholipids.
It is important for parents to learn, understand, and build a solid foundation with their children while nourishing their growth with phospholipids to help them reach their maximum potential, especially in the first five formative years.
Researchers have proven that children who receive loving support and positive interactions, as well as proper brain nutrition, including phospholipids in milk in their early years, become healthier and more successful in school and life. Parents should not miss out on this window of opportunity.