What All Parents Need to Know About Childhood Brain Development

When it comes to the brain development of children, the early years are extremely important in shaping brain health in later years. Some of the things that impact a child's brain growth are nutrition before and after birth, social engagement and more. With the first eight years of a child's life serving as the building blocks of their brain health, knowing how to nurture and protect it is important.

Brain Food

There are many things you can do to help with the development of a child's brain, such as feeding them certain foods. Foods that really benefit the brain are ones that are rich in protein, like eggs; vitamin K, like kale; or full of healthy fats, like greek yogurt. Nuts and apples make great snacks and can also help with brain health by improving mood, fighting mental decline, helping with concentration and much more. Many of these foods are very simple and quick to make and can be quite child-friendly.

Beware of Corners

While it is extremely important to be mindful of what goes into the brain via nutrition, it is just as important to protect it from outer harm as well. Head injuries severely impact the brain's development and can have serious long-term consequences. It is important to cover sharp corners and take other precautions that help prevent head injuries. Although bumps and bruises are a part of childhood, a serious head injury can lead to a concussion. More serious concussions can be classified as traumatic brain injuries, which can have serious long-term consequences and impact a child's learning ability or emotional state.

Preventing Brain Injuries

Prevention will always be more effective than a cure. When they are performing activities such as riding a bike or skating, be sure that the child is wearing a helmet. Lastly, whether the child is an infant or a toddler, never shake a child as this can lead to serious brain injury as well.

As parents, it is our job to ensure the safety of our children. However, you cannot always prevent everything from occurring. If your child hits their head, and you are not sure if the injury is serious, look for blatant signs, such as blood or excessive swelling. If you see heavy bleeding or your child is crying uncontrollably, you may want to see your doctor right away. Most injuries are merely bumps on the head that will go away on their own, but it's best to check with a doctor.

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