Your baby’s brain undergoes rapid development very early in life. What you do to promote your little one’s cognitive growth in this period can have a big impact on health, learning, and future success. Specifically, the first thousand days of your baby’s life – which is the period spanning conception to age two – is when much of your baby’s brain development takes place.¹ You can support brain development by engaging your little one in activities that enhance cognitive development.

How the brain benefits from exposure to a variety of age-appropriate stimuli

As your baby approaches the first birthday, many exciting and adorable milestones will occur, all of which are possible because of brain development. For example, for your baby to say “mum,” certain parts of the brain need to get activated, connections between neurons have to be made, and information must be exchanged between the lobes of the brain. The same applies when your baby is taking that first step or even dropping a toy over and over for you to pick up (and giggling adorably while doing this!).²

Activities to boost language

Most babies will say their first words as they approach their first birthday. The best way to boost language development in your baby is to expose him/her to as many words as possible in the first year.

Play

Play (PDF 2.8mb) is perhaps the most important way a baby learns and is crucial for development.³ It teaches cognitive skills for example, when your baby tries to balance blocks one on top of the other or attempts to count them. For instance, when he/she grabs a crayon and scribbles, it strengthens the baby’s fine motor skills. Play also reinforces your child’s speech, language abilities and teaches social skills especially when it involves peers.

Everyday routines

Consistent, everyday routines are important for babies because they bring about a sense of security and comfort. They are also important for your child’s brain development.    

References:

¹ UNICEF. The first 1,000 days of life: The brain’s window of opportunity. Accessed on 1st March, 2022 fromhttps://www.unicef-irc.org/article/958-the-first-1000-days-of-life-the-brains-window-of-opportunity.html
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early brain development and health. Accessed on 1st March 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html
³ NAEYC. 10 Things every parent should know about play. Accessed on 1^st March, 2022 fromhttps://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/10-things-every-parent-play
⁴ Pacheco, D and Wright, H. Babies and Sleep. The Sleep Foundation. Accessed on 1^st March, 2022 fromhttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep

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