Get excited!
Centuries ago, mothers and midwives used to recommend pregnant women to be in good spirits, enjoy music, connect with nature, and have a healthy lifestyle. Nowadays, research has revealed that the brainpower development of a child starts in the womb itself.
So, it’s uber-important for expecting parents, especially mothers, to abstain from smoking, drinking, and taking drugs while pregnant and to maintain a healthy way of living. Of course, you say! Check out my posts about ‘shitty’ habits and how to get rid of them.
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It is not only about physical activity and good nutrition. It is also about having a positive attitude, exposing the unborn baby to happy thoughts and music, and talking to them. Some parents even swear that their little ones are very clever because of this.
So, try it and consult with your doctor to get more info on this. No harm done…We’ve been using lullabies since before my son was born. On top of that, I used to squat down and talk to him inside my wife’s belly and read books to him, all before he was born. Yep!
Make it count!
Changes in routine are beneficial for babies, toddlers, and older kids. Did you know that the brain of a child is stimulated by the variety of sensations they experience every day?
Parents should take advantage of this by introducing activities at home and outdoors which will help to promote knowledge and interactive experiences. Whether it’s a short hike or playing around the stream, get’em outside and let them get dirty!
Speak to the child as often as you can, maintain eye contact, and pay attention to every communication gesture, be it a hand extended towards you, a gurgle, or a smile. Things move quickly and before you know it, you’ll have full-fledged convos with your little one. It’s awesome! Establish a link with the child and you will be amazed by the understanding and response you will get.
**My son and I cap the day off daily(nightly) with a book or two. We talk about it and we go to bed. Start reading asap…even if they’re still in the womb. Check out the countless benefits of reading to your child…and boost their brainpower!
Yummiez in their tummiez
It is not only about fun and stimulating activities but also about nutrition. Mothers usually notice a change in their children’s behavior after eating chocolate, candy, syrup, sugar-based products, and baked goods. This is because the sugar highs and lows caused by these foods can make a child fidgety, irritable, distracted, and sleepy. Avoid sugar! It’s like kid’s cocaine…sorry about the reference but it’s true. Read up on it with this link.
As parents, we all want our kids to be successful in school and life. To help them reach this goal, they must have a healthy, balanced diet. What many may not know is that certain foods can actually boost brainpower and consequently improve academic and non-academic performance.
Brainpower-boosting foods for kids
Fish: Salmon, mackerel and sardines, are full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health. Omega-3s can help increase memory and concentration and even guard against ADHD in children.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and chia seeds are a great source of vitamin E, which has been found to enhance cognitive function.
Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries, are high in antioxidants and can protect the brain from inflammation and oxidative stress. They may also improve memory and motor skills.
Whole grains: Brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa, are dense with complex carbohydrates and B vitamins, which are necessary for brain development.
Eggs: Packed with choline, which aids in brain development and functioning. Choline can also help with memory with brainpower boosting nutrition and may even reduce the risk of dementia in later life. Did you also know that eggs can help with growth in children? Yep! My son eats an egg a day just to make sure he grows as much as he can!
Leafy greens: Spinach, kale, and broccoli are loaded with the vitamins and minerals essential for proper brain health. Furthermore, they are abundant in antioxidants, which can protect the brain from damage. Kids usually are not big fans of these…at least mine isn’t. We usually sneak in some spinach in omelets so my son can’t detect anything…Not so easy.
Educate for Brainpower!
The main purpose of education is to teach children to think effectively. In order to accomplish this, parents need to focus on cognitive development and higher-order thinking. Modern technology offers plenty of software, websites, and YouTube channels that are entertaining and provide a great challenge for children.
Companies like Splash Learn provide educational teaching aids and advice that help to enhance thinking, mathematical abilities, and problem-solving in children.
There are countless companies providing support to families, in terms of brainpower development for children. One of them is Curiosity Box. It’s an amazing subscription box that has all you need to keep your child(and yourself) busy as bees.
So, put on some tunes!
On my Daddy Simply Facebook page, I asked the group “What kind of music do you prefer for your children? I answered, “I have no preference. Sometimes I play Classical music, sometimes I play Rock and sometimes it depends on the mood. And when I’m in a bad mood, I don’t even bother to put it on.” I never listen to my old school hip hop collection in front of my son…No explanation is needed, I think…
The response was amazing. A number of my friends commented that they felt it was important to expose children to different types of music. One of them said, “I love it when my children listen to Classical music because it teaches them how to think critically and appreciate great music.” Another agreed and added, “When they are young, they won’t understand the lyrics, but they will hear the melodies and learn to love it later on.”
Did someone say Qwirkle?
On the physical side…Another friend remarked, “My daughter routinely asks me to play the cards, board games, and video games of her childhood. She doesn’t even ask to play the video games or handheld games from her adolescence; instead, she prefers the ones from when she was five years old.”
Surely, when my son grows up he’ll be asking to play some Qwirkle! Love this game…great for the old brainpower, mine and his.
Children are the future and as adults, it is important to instill in them a strong sense of purpose, compassion, and optimism. And, the best way to do that is through positive talk and of course, play, which is the most natural and powerful way to learn and be creative.
Final Thoughts
The sooner a child starts exploring their environment and engaging in basic play, the sooner they will start developing their inner world, their thinking skills, and their resilience. These tiny children are also developing their unique personalities, which will develop into a strong sense of self and personality over time. I said it once! I’ll say it again and again, get’em outside and get’em dirty!
Play also helps children to learn how to regulate themselves and make healthy choices. Play also helps to develop new skills, encourages independence, and helps children to become better problem-solvers. In order to facilitate the development of play and creativity, parents can consider providing a space designated for this purpose in the home.
Not sure where to start? Follow CURIOSITY BOX and get creative ideas delivered to you!!
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