FAT IS ESSENTIAL FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Due to the many myths that exist on the topic of early brain development, I am dedicating this week to sharing the realities of what children need. Each day throughout the week, one myth will be clarified. It is my hope that we can quickly make truth common knowledge.  

 

Myth #4: Infants and Toddlers should be given skim milk to avoid obesity.

Truth: Nature provides all that the brain needs through breast milk. A mother's milk includes DHA which is essential to optimal cognitive and visual function. It is important when using infant formula to ensure it is fortified with DHA.  

When a toddler is transitioned to cow's milk, whole milk is best. Toddlers need fat for nerve development. Myelin is the protective coating that covers communicating neurons. Myelin is very important for brain health. It helps the impulses between nerves travel faster. This insulating sheath is composed of 30% protein and 70% fat. 

Zero to Three states the following: 

"Because of the rapid pace of myelination in early life, children need a high level of fat in their diets--some 50 percent of their total calories--until about two years of age. Babies should receive most of this fat from breast milk or formula in the first year of life, and breastmilk remains an excellent source of liquid nutrition into the toddler years. However, whole cow's milk can be introduced after the first birthday, and provides an excellent source of both fat and protein for toddlers in the second year."

The bottom line: For the first 12 months a baby needs breast milk or infant formula with DHA. When a child is transitioned to cows milk the brain benefits most from the fat that whole milk provides.

 

This article provides guidelines for using, Cows Milk for Infants and Toddlers

 

 

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Due to the many myths that exist on the topic of early brain development, I am dedicating this week to sharing the realities of what children need. Each day throughout the week, one myth will be clarified. It is my hope that we can quickly make truth common knowledge.

Myth #3: A Child is "spoiled" by responding to their cries and meeting their needs.

Truth:  Meeting a child's needs is the opposite of spoiling. Through repeatedly and consistently meeting a baby's physical and emotional needs, the baby is calmed and feels safe. Over time the baby begins to learn what to expect due to these repeated positive experiences. Having an attuned caregiver who predictably meets a baby's emotional needs leads to the ability to process emotions, to delay gratification, to have empathy for others, and to form healthy relationships.

The bottom line: Healthy emotional development and the basis for relationships later in life begins through having the cycle of needs expressed and met. 

Dr. Bruce Perry explains how responding to a babies needs leads to self regulation and healthy emotional development:   

"The capacity for self-regulation matures as we grow. The first time your baby felt hunger, he felt discomfort, then distress, and then he cried. You responded. And after many cycles of hunger, discomfort, distress, response, and satisfaction, your baby learned that this feeling of discomfort, even distress, will soon pass. You helped him build the capacity to put a moment between the impulse and the action. With this ability, he will eventually learn to take time to think, plan, and come up with an appropriate response to a challenge.

As young children learn to read and respond appropriately to these inner cues, they become much more capable of tolerating early signs of discomfort and distress. When your child learns to tolerate some anxiety, she will be much less reactive and impulsive. This allows her to feel more comfortable and act more mature when faced with the inevitable emotional, social, and cognitive challenges of development."

You can read a full article on this topic by Dr. Perry here .

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THE BRAIN NEEDS UNSTRUCTURED TIME

Due to the many myths that exist on the topic of early brain development, I am dedicating this week to sharing the realities of what children need. Each day throughout the week, one myth will be clarified. It is my hope that we can quickly make truth common knowledge.

 

Myth #2: Taking a child to many classes and scheduled activities will make a child smarter.

Truth: While the brain does like to be stimulated and does not like boredom a child does not need or benefit from too many classes. The brain needs unstructured time to explore, to try new things, imagine, build, run freely, and just play. The higher "thinking areas" of the brain are enhanced through self directed activities. In fact creativity comes from a relaxed state not through a structured environment. When children are over scheduled, they miss the chance to use their imagination and learn skills through discovery. 

The bottom line: For optimal brain development a child needs unstructured time to play. 

For further information read the article, Free Unstructured Play Is Essential For Children. The article includes a link to a study from the AAP, The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds (PDF)

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THE BRAIN LEARNS BEST THROUGH NATURAL INTERACTION WITH THE WORLD

Due to the many myths that exist on the topic of early brain development, I am dedicating this week to sharing the realities of what children need. Each day throughout the week, one myth will be clarified. It is my hope that we can quickly make truth common knowledge.

 

Myth #1: Early brain research has shown that children will be smarter through the use of flash cards, workbooks, language tapes, and "educational" electronic toys.

Truth:  Brain development is simply the physical growth of the brain. Science has created greater awareness of how this brain growth occurs. As a result we now understand more than ever before about how experience impacts brain growth. However, it seems that the term "early brain development" has become synonymous with meaning we need to push young children to learn more at earlier ages. 

It is critical that it is understood that academic focused pre-schools, using flash cards or computerized types of toys and DVD's are not the optimal way of supporting this growth. Hands-on interaction with real objects and people provides the brain with much more real information and ideal learning experiences. When children are directed to simply find a "right" answer this removes the wonderful benefits of discovery.  

The bottom line: Pushing learning on children does not lead to optimal cognitive, or social/emotional growth. In reality, too much activity may result in over-stimulation, which can impair brain development. Positive loving interactions and opportunities to play and explore with many senses in a relaxed environment are the ideal way to support healthy brain growth. 

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GOOD NUTRITION FOR THE BODY IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE BRAIN

The brain needs nutrition to function well. Good nutrition is not only good for the body, it is also essential for the brain. When the brain does not get the nutrients it needs, this results in decreased ability to pay attention and may result in hyperactive behavior.

However when children eat healthy foods the “feel good chemical” serotonin is released. As a result attention span is increased and children will feel less agitated.

I just became aware something that can help children make healthy food choices. I am thrilled to let you know about it. It is called, Today I Ate A Rainbow. This complete and wonderful kit was developed by Kia Robertson. 

The I Ate A Rainbow kit includes:

1 chart

4 sets of colored magnets

4 achievement magnets

2 fridge magnets

1 shopping list

1 The Rainbow Bunch!™ book

A forward in the book, written by Dr. Erika Holenski ND, states,  “I feel one of the best lessons we can teach our children is a healthy relationship with food. The lessons learned early in life are the ones that are imprinted on the brain and become the default behavior in adulthood. By eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables you are ensuring that your child is consuming the entire spectrum of vitamins and minerals, from beta carotene to iron and everything in between. The rainbow of colors also ensures high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients which help the entire body fight off illness and repair DNA, as well as boost brain power. “

It would be wonderful if one day every child had this kit and was eating a rainbow everyday!!!

For more information go to: www.todayiatearainbow.com

 

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A DEVELOPING BRAIN NEEDS ADULT TO HELP SUPPORT LEVELS OF STIMULATION

 

Holiday Shopping From a Child’s Point of View

My brain doesn’t like to be bored and it also doesn’t like to be over stimulated. I need interesting things to keep me entertained, but if I get too much stimulation I will need you to help me to relax. My brain is not good at this on my own yet.

               (3 -6 year olds)

• Have me help you find the items you need by giving me simple directions. For example: Ask me to get the red box or pick the smallest size can, or the item on the bottom shelf.

               (1 – 4 year olds)

•   While waiting in line, name an item for me to find and point to. Or point to a picture on magazine and have me name it.

                              

               (3 – 5 year olds)

• As we turn down a new isle name a color. Have me point out items of that color as we  go through the row. Or to add variety, name a shape to look for.

My brain also likes physical activity and using all of my senses. Exploring is how my brain learns. So, I will like touching and trying out things I see.  If you guide me to or provide things that are safe to touch this will be best.  Much of this is all new to me, and  I do not realize what might happen if I touch, push, or pull on something without your guidance.

                (0-3 year olds)

•  While we shop give items to try out. Let me feel different textures or hear the sounds items make.  Since my brain learns through repetition I may want to do it again and again. Use descriptive words for the textures and sounds I am experiencing too. My brain likes to hear lots of language from you about objects in my world.

                 (3 – 6 year olds)

• Have me close my eyes and listen to all the sounds. Have me tell you all that I hear.

• Have me help you put items on the counter as you get ready to checkout. We could count together as we do this.

            

I really like it when you give me positive attention. When we are having fun together I will feel good.  My brain will then not react in negative ways to get you to pay attention to me.

 

                 (2 – 6 year olds)

• Let me tell you about all that I see and am interested in as we shop. I get excited about all of the new things I am learning and want to share it with you!

                 (All ages)

• Sing holiday songs with me while we wait in line.  

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GIVING BENEFITS THE BRAIN

Giving to others is good for your brain. Research demonstrates, that when donating, the reward center is activated in the brain .....of the giver! The hormone, oxytocin has been found to be released when giving to others.  At this time of year, it is especially fun to realize that the act of giving to others affects the brain in such a positive way.

With this in mind I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all you are doing to give to children and families. I have big dreams and you are contributing greatly to making the dream become reality.  

The Dream of All children
Because children can not do it on their own... my dream is for all of us to work together to convey the hopeful message of EVERY child .... and make these wishes become a reality!

                   
 

If this baby could express her desires she would say....

"I hope every adult understands that providing loving, safe, healthy, nurturing, and stimulating environments allows me to reach my full potential....  hopefully none of them will ignore this amazing opportunity!" 

My goal is to work with everyone who already understands the opportunities we have to make this a reality ....  to ensure EVERYONE realizes that we have the capabilities to easily make a REAL difference in the future of EVERY child!

Why now?

*We have more scientific knowledge than ever before. We know what contributes to the optimal development of young children's brains.

*We have an economy that requires that we do all we can to make sure that what we do is cost beneficial.

*We have a greater ability to connect, network, and share with others than ever before.

*We have approximately 216,000 babies born in the world each day with the UN expecting an increase to 150 per minute in the next 5 years.

* We have ignored doing all we can for children far too long already. 

My Holiday Wishes

Happy Holidays and Thank You, once again for being a friend of braininsights! You have been a wonderful part of creating a greater awareness of the difference we all can make!

I so appreciate all the dedicated people I have had the pleasure and honor of connecting with throughout the world! I can not express how exciting it is to daily become aware of additional people that are contributing in some way toward making the lives of children and families better. I send you very sincere and heartfelt wishes for all that will bring you the most fulfillment, the best health, and greatest happiness.

Deborah

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