Supporting your child’s brain development is not hard. Like many other things, it’s making the conscious effort to do what you can when you can. Being a loving and patient caregiver is the biggest thing that will aid your child’s development. Remember that you are a guide for your child. Every day interactions are the starting point to teach your child how to understand how the world works and how to take part in the world.
Here are some easy things you can do to support healthy brain development:
- Reading together is proven to be the best way to feed your child’s brain. Books offer new words and ideas and introduce children to written language. Bedtime stories can provide a routine during busy days.
- Playing with your child is a chance to have fun together. Being active is a great way for your child to learn how to control their body and work on coordination. Play time provides children with a stage to act out what they observe about life (always eye-opening!) and to experiment with ideas in a safe space.
- Talking is one of the fastest ways to teach your child to communicate. At first, you will most likely be talking at your child. As they age, giving children a chance to be part of the conversation is vital for their development.
- With everything you do, share your affection with your child. When they feel safe and cared for, they are more comfortable to make mistakes and ask questions.
- Take turns. No matter the activity, make sure to give your child space to react or speak. The effort to include them goes a long way to teaching them how to interact with you and others.
