Emerging science tells us that brains are not born, but built over time. So, how do we optimize our child’s brain development? Which strategies could we start with? How often can we implement new strategies? There are no “cookie-cutter” answers to these questions, but here are four universal and simple tips that you can follow to get started down a great path:
Fill your cup first. Parents often underestimate the impact that their mental health has on their children. In fact, your mental health has a profound impact on your child – for good or for bad. It’s hard to implement proactive, nurturing parenting strategies when you’re totally stressed out. So, taking care of yourself is the first thing you can do to help build your child’s brain.
Small gestures matter. Do little things that make you feel rested, calm, or happy. Take breaks. Get some exercise, practice meditation, go for a walk, take a bath, call a friend, or read your favorite book. This seems impossible sometimes, especially if you’re a solo parent. Find your village of support, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Or better yet, before you need it!
Play with your child and be their favorite toy. Sure, Melissa & Doug Toys are great, and that Lovevery toy subscription is fun and educational. But science tells us that it’s the nurturing and stimulating reciprocal interactions between you and your child that build the strongest neural connections that set a solid foundation for healthy brain development.
Want to build your child’s brain? Play. Talk. Interact. See how they respond. Keep the interactions flowing. This can be as simple as sticking your tongue out to see if your baby will imitate, or as complex as an imaginary play narrative with your preschooler while playing “house.” Play is a child’s work. Take their lead and see where they take you. Narrate and label new words, feelings, and processes. Problem-solve with them when appropriate. Set a timer daily for ten to 15 minutes of uninterrupted play. Take your child’s lead and create an abundance of incredible neural pathways!
Know your child’s milestones. Understanding them is important because this information tells you which areas of development you could be stimulating. For example, if your child has mastered imitating single words, you can encourage two-word imitation. Having knowledge about milestones can also help catch any lagging skills quickly. Early intervention is the best intervention. If you’re curious about learning and exploring your child’s developmental milestones, Healthy Parents Healthy Children is an excellent resource from Alberta Health Services.
Book share. Book sharing can improve the parent-child relationship, build new language skills, teach new topics, and promote early literacy skills. Book sharing is an interactive activity that looks different at each age. For newborns and infants, we can book share by flipping pages and labeling single words and having them touch objects of various textures.
Contrary to our instinct, we don’t need to read every single word on the page! Narrate and label what you see in the pictures. Lift-the-flap and textured books are great for a more interactive book sharing session. Eventually, your preschooler will become curious about the words on the page and may even start memorizing simple phrases in books as you turn the pages together. Book sharing truly is a powerful way to build neural connections.
Of course, with all this information, it’s easy to feel guilty if you’re not implementing every single strategy you encounter on social media, in books, or in magazines. Do what’s best for you and your family! Sometimes, it’s OK to forget about the new strategies and remember that you’re doing your best with the tools you have. If your child is fed, healthy, and cared for then you’re doing a great job!
Lara Higgins, BA and Joanna Piekarski, M. Ed, R. Psych, are child mental health advocates who started Psyched About Kids (PAK) in 2016 because they are obsessed with human potential! PAK empowers parents with science-backed knowledge, strategies, and tools to solve our most pressing parenting issues today and make life a little easier, along with ongoing support to implement the desired change. Small actions over time can have an unimaginable impact on child growth and development for lifelong health and wellness. Learn more at psychedaboutkids.com.
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