Let's know more about the growth and development of the brain in infants and early childhood. 

The brain of a baby starts developing before birth and continues to grow by the age of 5. However, intellectual development continues throughout life. The development of an infant’s brain can be tracked through various milestones for instance when the baby starts recognizing his/her parents, grasp objects, throw a toy, use a teether, and waves at familiar people. All these actions prove that baby is gaining the ability to absorb information and execute it. All the information is processed in an infant’s tiny brain which further supports the growth and development of the brain. When parents start investing ample time in communicating with the baby right from the start like when h/she is in the mother’s womb then the brain of a child functions in a healthy way. Just like a building, an infant’s brain also needs a strong foundation, and parents play a vital role in building that.

During the first trimester, nerve connections are formed in such a way that it allows your baby to move inside the womb. As your pregnancy proceeds, some brain tissues and more nerve connections are formed during the second trimester. During the third trimester, the cerebral cortex starts functioning with the brain stem which prepares your child for future learning. The 3 main parts of the human brain are as follows:

• Brain stem and Cerebellum- These are responsible for connecting the brain to the spinal cord and helps in controlling the breathing process, blood pressure, reflexes, balance, and heart rate.

• Limbic system- By sitting on top of the brain stem it is responsible for many functions like learning, memory, thirst, emotions, hunger, and sensations.

• Cerebral cortex- It is placed on the top of the limbic system and contains Occipital Lobe (for vision), Temporal Lobe (for social interaction, language, and hearing), Frontal Lobe (for problem-solving, memory, planning, and self-regulation), Parietal Lobe (for physical sensations like pressure, cold, heat, pain, and aches).

By the time the baby pops out, he/she can hear and will recognize your voice. Your baby’s brain grows and develops if you can try these numerous ways to support it:

• Your baby’s developing brain needs a lot of interaction, eye contact, and a lot of positive experiences.

• A nutritious balanced diet (healthy foods like breast milk and when he/she is ready to consume solid diet – fresh fruits, seasonal vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, lentils, dairy products, egg, chicken meat, and cow’s milk).

• Allow your child to gaze and observe various objects.

• Allow your child to get involved in a lot of fun-filled physical activities.

• Play games like peek-a-boo, back and forth.

• Singing rhymes, storytelling, and reading books.

• Allow your baby to explore- Taste, smell, touch, and feel.

• Age-appropriate toys, arts and crafts activities.

• Associate things and people with the situations to enhance the memory of your child.

• Dancing and music.

• Thinking and solving simple puzzles.

• Encourage your child to explore new surroundings.

• Boost their communication skills and interaction with others.

• A good sleeping routine.

• Interact with your child by making eye contact with him/her and keep talking with your child.

• Allow your child to play with messy materials (play dough, slime, and play sand) under your supervision

Always remember that your child will not become brilliant with a lot of expensive toys or gadgets. All you need to do is invest ample time and provide a safe and loving home to your munchkin. No matter how busy your schedule is, you must not miss those important appointments with the health care provider. Cuddle and pamper your baby whenever he/she starts crying or is feeling uncomfortable. Show interest in your baby’s activities and express the joyous feeling. Do not raise your voice or lose patience when you are explaining an activity to your child. Always remember that each child’s brain grows and develops at a different speed so do not try rushing.