ESSENCE OF BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
WHILE most nutrients are needed for brain cells to develop, mature and function, the combined nutritional deficiencies of zinc, iron and iodine have been shown to lower a child’s intelligence quotient (IQ), says Dr Raja Juanita Raja Lope, consultant in developmental and general paediatrics at Pantai Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.
Besides nutrition, experiences and input from the environment are also essential for brain development, she adds.
Poor quality sensory, language, emotional and social input, for example, can hamper brain development. Genetics also plays a role. But associating brain development with only academic performance or classroom intelligence is too narrow a definition, stresses Dr Raja Juanita.
“Brain development refers to the complex processes at a genetic and cellular level interacting with the environment over time, which results in skills and abilities in a child. These skills may be motor, cognitive, perceptual, language, social and more.”
Early exposure to music, art or other extra-curricular activities can also boost brain development in a child.
Dr Raja Juanita says studies have shown that learning to play a musical instrument, for example, helps develop attention and processing skills in normally developing children. Children exposed to language-rich environments also have better language abilities, sports helps with motor and social skills, and art with fine motor (hand) skills and creativity.
On the other hand, too much screen time, inadequate stimulation, not providing sufficient quality time and not providing a supportive, enriching environment can have a negative impact on brain development. A very punitive style of parenting can also be detrimental.
“Expose your child to a variety of activities, but be sensible and don’t overdo it. Children are increasingly experiencing over-scheduling, resulting in anxiety and stress.”
What children need for good healthy brain development is free time to play and explore and rest. Play enables a child to socialise, share, develop unique interests, make decisions and resolve conflicts. It is an essential part of a healthy upbringing.
Children exposed to languagerich environments also have better language abilities.
Dr Raja Juanita