Turn Your Little Baby Into A Genius!
***Disclaimer***
This book is a combination of researched work from child developmental psychology, various internet sources, colleges and books abroad. This Information is deemed accurate and reliable. But parents, and future parents use due diligence. This information is intended to be a foundational stone for parents, and future parents alike.
Up Up, And Away Your Smart Baby Is On The Way!
Ahh the joys of parenthood. Now that you have given birth to your new baby you want the best for them in life. What's more better the kid at the head of his class. "The Best And The Brightest" category is your little little Johnny, or Susan headed for. But first Mom, and Dad know that in order to see greatness in your child it is going to call for committing yourself to your child's ongoing development, and know there are cost associated with this.
$$$ Lets Count The Cost Are Going To Be $$$
1) Spending Time
2) Discipline [you and your kid]
3) Diet Changes
4) Ongoing Learning Beyond This Book
5) Money Investing In Learning Tools.
6) Much Much Less TV Time
7) A Open Mind
8) Hard Work
The rewards, and blessings are great. To see your little Johnny,or Susan at the head of grade school.
Lets look at how babies learn How Do Babies Learn?
By: Johnny Moon
Babies learn the same way that older humans learn. They mimic what they hear and see. They observe what they are exposed to and they learn through positive and negative reinforcement. Take crying for example. A baby will cry when it is hungry.This crying starts off as an outlet for the pain and discomfort that the baby is experiencing by being hungry. The baby soon associates that when it cries, milk arrives. Then the baby will begin to cry as soon as it is hungry to bring on the milk. Your baby has learned that his, or her cries are responded to. The baby may also learn that the louder the cry or yell, the quicker the response if this turns out to be the case. This process of learning by association teaches the baby not only how to get what it needs but also how communication can take place through sound.
At some point in its early life a baby will learn that if no-one can hear the crying there is no point in doing so to get the milk. It can still cry however as an outlet for pain. Babies will also mimic. Babies need to be extremely observant because their survival depends on it. This is why they are much more observant than adults. They need to learn how to have their needs met so must pay close attention. It is through observing that they will notice that some of their behaviors cause joy in others and some cause anger. They will also experiment as they learn and then learn even more through trial and error. A baby’s memory is far more agile than an adult’s. Many things are learned as the memory holds all this newly gathered information.
Babies Learn Through Play, Even Though Mom, And Dad Work All Day.
What appears as simple play is often much more than that. As babies play with different objects they are developing eye-hand coordination, spatial awareness and registering varioussensations amongst other things. As long as they are playing,something is being practiced. As they get older, play continues to be hard work. In fact, one could say that play is actually practice for adult life. When a kitten pretends to chase a mouse or a young child pretends to be taking care of an infant or driving a car, these are all actions which are practiced over and over again until the age nears when these actions must be done for real. As real life changes, the way children play changes too.
A sight that would not have been seen 25 years ago is a young toddler pushing her doll in a stroller while speaking into a big plastic pretend mobile phone. Children seem to naturally want to practice what adults are doing now. Learning happens quite naturally. However, as more and more research is done on how babies learn and magazines publish
findings like the fact that babies can learn language by listening (who would’ve thought?) more and more parents buy
these magazines to have access to these latest research findings. This is in the hope that they can give their child a
head start. Mothers have been singing lullabies to their babies and telling them stories since the beginning of time. Perhaps we always instinctively knew that speaking to an infant helps the infant acquire language. Research studies now prove that we were right to think this.
While articles on these research topics help to promote a very lucrative parental magazine industry, it is really debatable
whether or not babies will be smarter because parents now read such material. While cultures in developing countries think it is common sense to interact with your baby and speak clearly to him or her as often as possible, other cultures in the developed world are walking around with magazine articles about the latest findings such as; talking to babies helps them to learn language and toys help them become coordinated.
Children at play
Explore their environment, act out their thinking and assume the roles and perspectives of others.
Create their own “meanings” (e.g., a chair can become a car, a wooden spoon can become a paintbrush).
Focus on the act of playing itself rather than goals. Play is self-sustaining because it is satisfying.
Learn and practice new behaviors.
Families and caregivers
Value play as a constructive way for children to occupy themselves and a way for children to make friends.
Use play to gain cooperation in caregiving routines, to manage behavior, to help children recover from distress and to teach desirable behaviors.
Give children time and space to play.
Educators
Find play is a rich opportunity for teaching cognitive, social, motor and adaptive skills.
Child Brain Development
Have you ever had an opportunity to share 20 minutes of information about a baby's brain development with a group of parents or policy makers and wondered how to select the most significant points to convey? Over the past eight years, we have, and we want to share with you what we've come up with.
Brain research is complicated, but its message is simple: babies are born learning and what they learn is up to us. New research on infant brain development shows that a child's experiences in the first three years of life have a distinct impact on her later development and learning. Here's why.
All babies are born with one organ that is not fully formed—the brain. Three-quarters of a child's brain develops after birth. Neuroscientists once thought that brain development was mostly influenced by genetics. Now there is evidence that a baby's environment determines how the neural pathways are connected.
Children's brains develop at an incredible rate in the first five years of life. A newborn's brain is only about one-quarter the size of an adult's. It grows to about 80 percent of adult size by three years of age and 90 percent by age five. Every baby is born with 100 billion neurons, or brain cells, mostly unconnected. The connections between neurons, called synapses, are created by the sensory experiences in a baby's physical and emotional environment. Hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, and tasting (especially tasting books!) stimulate the growth of these neural connections. This neural connection often is referred to as "getting wired."
Brain development is the continuous process of wiring and rewiring these connections. New experiences establish new connections. When a pathway is used frequently, the brain recognizes its importance and covers it with a myelin sheath to protect it. Messages are then sent more efficiently.
A baby's brain has the amazing capacity to adapt to the environment in which she is placed, influencing not only the number of connections but also the way these connections are wired. Her experiences will likely determine how she will express and control emotions, get along with others, and view learning. This ability to develop and change in response to the environment is called the brain's "neuroplasticity." Neuroplasticity makes it possible for a child's brain to compensate for some kinds of damage that might occur and makes it possible for us to continue learning all through our lives.
Dr. Bruce D. Perry of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston has researched the effects of neglect and trauma on a baby's brain. He found that children who receive little attention from adults or little opportunity to explore their world have 20 to 30 percent smaller brains than most children their age. And prolonged exposure to stress, abuse, or trauma also alters the way the brain functions. High levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline are released in response to stress. These children are then "stuck in high alert," continually reading facial expressions and situations for threats, which in effect will organize their brains differently. This leads to children who respond inappropriately to benign stimuli and makes it harder to develop secure relationships.
Research on the impact of early attachments confirms that warm, responsive caregiving is essential to healthy brain development and building secure attachments. These loving interactions lay the foundation for learning.
But there are no tricks to making baby smarter. This new information about how the brain develops confirms what we have known about child development. All children need good prenatal care, loving attachments to adults, freedom to explore their environment, and age-appropriate stimulation to prepare them for learning throughout life.
The brain is especially receptive to stimulation in the area of language acquisition during the first three years. Research shows that young children who have been talked to and read to by their adult caregivers exhibit language skills that far exceed those of children who received little verbal stimulation. Language is the foundation of cognitive development, so we tell parents that talking, singing, and reading to their baby is the best way to build a healthy, efficient brain.
Academic achievement. College scholarship. Presidential aspirations.
These used to be phrases parents tossed around at their kid's high school graduation.
Today, it's a new form of "baby talk." From maternity wards to toddler play groups to mommy chat rooms, how to raise a smart baby is a key focus of conversation and concern.
"Parents have always wanted the best for their babies, but now it seems there really is a much more focused attempt, and more worry and concern about doing the right thing to encourage baby's growth and development, particularly brain development," says Nina Sazer O'Donnell, director of National Strategies for Success By 6, a United Way of America learning initiative.
The concerns are not without merit. While a portion of a baby's 100 billion brain cells are prewired at birth -- mostly the ones connected to breathing, heartbeat, and other physiological survival functions -- it is during the first five years of life that much of the essential wiring linked to learning is laid down.
"What occurs during the first five years of life can have an enormous impact on not only how well the baby's brain develops at the moment, but how well that baby learns and grows throughout their lifetime," says Christopher P. Lucas, MD, director of the Early Childhood Service at the NYU Child Study Center and associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the NYU School of Medicine.
While experts say baby brain development is still largely a mystery, what we do know is just how great a role natural parenting instincts can play in putting your baby on the fast track to success.
(What have you tried to help build your child’s brainpower? What worked best? Discuss it with other parents on WebMD's Parenting: Friends Talking board.)
Smart Babies: Trust Your Instincts As society gave birth to a brave new high-tech world, parents everywhere began assuming that high-tech learning was essential if baby was to grow up and prosper.
Turns out, nothing could be further from the truth.
Indeed, one popular form of smart baby technology -- learning videos such as Baby Einstein -- recently received low marks in a study designed to evaluate their effectiveness in helping baby brain development. The research, published in the Journal of Pediatrics in September, showed that not only were these so-called baby brain tools not helpful, they may actually slow word learning.
But experts outside the study say it may not be the videos themselves that lead to these dismal results, but more a matter of what the videos replace: Good old-fashioned one-on-one parent-to-baby contact.
"It may be as simple as the fact that for every minute a baby is in front of a screen, they are not engaged with a loving, familiar caregiver ... and infants learn from loving adults," says Jill Stamm, PhD, author Bright From The Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind From Birth to Age 3.
: "What mattered to babies a thousand years ago is still what matters today: You, the parent, are your baby's best learning tool." Indeed, experts conclude that talking to your baby, playing with your baby, paying attention to what interests your baby, and using those interests to foster curiosity lays down the wiring that ultimately stimulates your baby's brain to grow and develop.
Moreover, O'Donnell says that educational TV -- shows like Sesame Street or even videos like Baby Einstein -- are not necessarily a bad thing, as long as they are in addition to, and not a replacement for, one-on-one contact.
"Experiences that have emotional content and human interaction are what is pleasurable and meaningful to a baby. They act like glue for their memory, helping them to retain what they are picking up and learning," says O'Donnell.
Experts say among the best ways to do that is by reading. But don't just read to your child; read with them. O'Donnell says to turn it into an interactive experience that engages their imagination and their curiosity.
"If you turn a child into a passive recipient, they are going to get far less out of the experience then if you engage them in the process," says O'Donnell. In the case of reading, she says that means having them point to pictures they like and use them to help identify colors, shapes, animals -- anything that engages their interest.
Smart Babies: Add Some Love In addition to playing an active role in your child's learning process, experts say that simply loving and nurturing your baby will also do wonders for turning up the wattage on the child's brainpower.
"Some caregivers believe that when they plunk a baby in front of a TV and she sits quietly, not making a fuss, that she is a happy and contented baby. But what many don't realize is that when babies are stressed, very often they respond by shutting down, and when they do that, learning isn't taking place," says O'Donnell.
Smart Babies: Toy Tips While experts agree that toys can be a great way to help foster the growth of your baby's brainpower, the sheer number of companies hawking for a parent's attention can leave you dizzy with indecision.
Sandra Gordon, mother of two and author of Consumer Reports Best Baby Products, says the key is to choose both toys and activities that track with your child's natural biological stages of development. When you do, she says, you're speaking a language your baby can understand.
She also recommends simple toys that are age-appropriate so they don't frustrate your child. Infants, she says, are most interested in movement and sound, so shaking a rattle or a key ring will stimulate them. As they get a little older, she recommends textural toys they can touch and squish in their hands, such as stuffed animals.
By 9 months of age, play with your child with shape-sorting toys and puzzles and hide another toy inside a nesting block to see if your baby can find it. This adds the element of surprise and builds on the concept of object permanence," says Gordon. Indeed, experts say any toys that stimulate curiosity, rely on interaction between your baby and the object, or use colors or shapes to intrigue or teach can be a big plus.
At the same time, you also don't want to overwhelm your baby with more than his or her biology is ready to absorb. "It's key to plan activities that engage your baby at every developmental point without overdoing it," says O'Donnell.
Smart Babies: What to Do at Every Age and Stage To help you home in on what you can to do to encourage your baby's brain development at every stage of growth, our experts put together the following age activity guide.
Age: Birth to 4 months
Read; make silly faces; tickle the body; slowly move objects in front of your baby's eyes, like a brightly colored rattle; sing simple songs and nursery rhymes with repetitive phrases; narrate everything you and your baby will do, such as "We are going in the car now; we are putting you in the car seat; Mommy is getting into the car."
Age: 4 to 6 months
Help baby hug stuffed animals; stack things (like plastic blocks) and let your baby knock them down; play music with different rhythms; show your baby books with brightly colored pictures; let your baby feel objects with different textures.
Age: 6 to 18 months
Talk and interact face-to-face to increase connections between sounds and words; point to familiar people and objects and repeat names; sing songs with repetitive verses and hand motions; play hide and seek.
Age 18 to 24 months
Play simple recognition games like "spot the yellow car" or " the red flower," or put three objects in front of your child and say "Give me the ..."; talk directly to your baby as much as possible; introduce your child to writing tools such as crayons and paper; ask "where and what" when reading to your child; encourage some independent play with favorite toys.
Age: 24 to 36 months
Lavish your child with praise and encouragement as he or she perfects motor skills; bolster your child's imagination by encouraging new ways to use toys; help your child incorporate 'real life' activities into play, such as pretending to talk on the phone, drive a car, have a tea party; when reading, incorporate your child into the story by asking questions; point to words while you read to your child; encourage identification of words on the page or their sound.
Ages 3 to 5:
Teach sharing by example; play simple board games to foster learning rules and skills; limit TV/video watching to one to two hours per day, and watch with your child to make it interactive. As children advance, offer simple choices (read a book or do a puzzle); limit the use of the word "no" and encourage exploration and natural curiosity; give your child respect and attention and show patience as your child tries to explain his or her new experiences; make time each day to sit with your child and discuss what he or she did that day, encouraging your child to explain and explore new experiences.
Da Da Goo Goo?...Balk Sew Boor abey
Talk To Your Baby
This may seem obvious, but, particularly with the first born, it is easy to fall into a pattern of performing the household chores in silence while your baby watches from his swing or baby seat. Speak clearly and look at your baby while you speak. Tell him about what you are doing. If you are cooking supper, you can introduce him to food words, words describing kitchen utensils and appliances, and other words such as slice, chop, or mix. You just might be able to distract your child during what may be a cranky time. Use simple sentences and gradually introduce descriptive words. Baby talk is fine! Talk in a sing-song voice if you want. Play with words and vary your expression. Have fun with your baby!
Read to your baby from birth. Find a comfy rocker, prop your baby in the crook of your arm, and pick out a favorite picture book. (See some suggestions on this page.) Point to the pictures and describe what you say. A book before naps and bedtime is a pleasant routine and a nice way to wind down for sleeping. Vary your tone of voice and pause for your baby to enjoy the pictures. Remember, reading is not limited to books. When you are stopped at a stop sign - show your toddler the word STOP, read KIX on the front of the cereal box, DELI in the grocery store.... (My children were all very pleased with themselves when they realized they could read the word PIZZA )
Listen to music. There are many tapes and cd's on the market today which encourage early learning in our babies such as sing alongs or dance-alongs. Remember to keep the volume low to moderate.
Infant Toys. Textured toys, mobiles, activity centers, unbreakable mirrors, black and white line drawings, squeaky toys....just because your baby may not be sitting or holding things yet, should not stop you from playing with her. Talk to her and hold objects in front of her showing her the different sounds and letting her touch the variety of textures. This stimulation is wonderful for infants. Later, balls, stacking bricks, and other engaging toys are excellent. It is a good idea to give your child one or two toys at a time and trade them in for others when you notice his attention start to fade. Show your child how the toy works and then leave them to explore it on their own.
Nutritious Foods Are A Must, It's The Sure One Thing You Can Trust!
Babies deserve the best possible start in life, so giving them nutritious food is a must, not only for good health but also to establish positive eating habits as early as possible.
According to Consumers Union (CU), publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, commercial baby foods, many of which are made up of condensed fruits and vegetables, can contain high concentrations of pesticide residues. "A lot of these pesticides are toxic to the brain," says Philip Landrigan, a professor of pediatrics and preventative medicine at Mount Sinai In New York City. Citing Studies hat have linked smaller head circumference and reduced intelligence in babies to in utero exposure to pesticides consumed by their mothers, Landrigan says it is best not to gamble when it comes to baby food.
If you're not already serving organic baby food, CU urges making the switch as soon as possible. A 2005 study ordered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency measured pesticide levels in the urine of 23 children in Washington State before and after a switch to an organic diet. After five straight days on the diet, pesticide measures fell to undetectable levels and remained so until the conventional diets resumed. The study concluded: "An organic diet provides a dramatic and immediate protective effect" against pesticide exposure.
Fortunately for concerned parents the organic food industry is growing rapidly, and one result is the availability of a wide selection of organic baby foods in both natural food stores and mainstream supermarkets. Some leading jar- and box-based choices come from Gerber, Homemade Baby and others. And frozen meals from the likes of Happy Baby, Plum Organics, Bobo baby, and other relative upstarts mix good flavor and fresh healthy ingredients with convenience. Using the power of cold temperatures to keep their foods fresh allows these companies to avoid the use of traditional preservatives.
Happy Baby's frozen meals come in individual cubes in flavors like "Baby Dahl and Mama Grain," an organic mixture of bananas, black beans and quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah). Quinoa is a high-protein whole grain that is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids.
Plum Organics offers flash-frozen, nutrient-rich organic meals that come in reusable four-ounce cups in varieties like "Super Greens" (peas, spinach and green beans) and "Red Lentil Veggie" (potatoes, carrots, corn and red lentils). Bobo Baby specializes in organic, kosher and allergen-free flash-frozen baby meals.
For parents inclined toward cooking instead of opening jars or microwaving, making baby food out of fresh organic ingredients does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. Fresh Baby sells cooking kits, cookbooks and food trays to help parents concoct and serve the freshest and healthiest baby food possible right from their own kitchens.
Ahhh...Its Not Delivery?
What Foods Work, And What Foods Burp?
Breakfast is important You've heard it before...and Mom was right...and I'm going to say it again--research studies indicate that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The nourishment and energy from healthy food sources in your child's breakfast will rev up their metabolism and spark her cognitive function enormously. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that skipping the first meal of the day can hinder academic performance and interfere with cognition and learning among school children.
Foods and nutrients that build brain function Moving on from breakfast, here are specific foods and nutrients that can enhance your child's diet and increase brain development and function:
1. Choline is good for the memory This nutrient is found in eggs and nuts. It augments brain and memory development.
Simple Suggestions....
Start the day with some scrambled organic eggs with a few fresh vegetables mixed in, served over a slice of wholegrain toast.
Serve up a fun "wild west wrap," with scrambled eggs, salsa and Monterey jack cheese served in high-fiber whole wheat wrap.
2. Antioxidants for memory improvement An abundance of foods are packed with brain-boosting antioxidants like vitamin A ,B & C
Simple Suggestions....
Work in fresh fruit and vegetables at mealtimes and snacks. Nuts, beans and legumes are also rich in antioxidants. Pair a hummus or black bean dip with fresh cut vegetables for a fun "dip and dunk" snack kids will love.
If you've got a picky eater, get creative with a tasty homemade yogurt-fruit smoothie as an energizing afternoon snack or a quick, satiating breakfast on-the-go.
Add vegetables into kid-friendly dishes and get them involved. Try incorporating vegetables into pasta sauces and soups or top homemade pizza with veggies of your child's choosing.
3. Omega 3 fatty acids improve cognitive functions An important player in bolstering cognitive function, omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats found in a variety of foods including cold-water fatty fish (like salmon and tuna), avocado flaxseed oil or gournd flaxseed nuts (like walnuts and almonds), and heart-healthy oils (like olive oil).
*Note: Watch your young child's consumption of tuna because of high mercury counts. Aim for one to two times per week, and choose chunk light tuna in water which contains lower amounts of mercury than albacore.
Simple suggestions...
Get creative in the kitchen with your kids and encourage them to taste new foods such as avocado or grilled salmon; you never know where their taste buds will take them! Slip two to three thin slices of avocado into sandwiches or whole wheat wraps for a brain-boosting lunch.
Flaxseed is high in fiber to aid digestion and is packed with healthy omega-3 fats. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal into cold or hot cereal at breakfast or mix it into a yogurt-fruit parfait at snack-time; the kids won't even notice.
4. Whole grains to improve your memory function Complex, whole-grain carbohydrates contain foilc and other B vitamans which help improve memory function and are rich in fiber, providing a steady stream of energy so your child can ace that math test.
Simple suggestions...
For a morning wake-up call of whole grains, try hearty steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast. Choose unsweetened flavors to skip excess sugar and calories. Top with fresh berries or banana slices and a touch of honey for a burst of natural sweetness.
Make the switch to 100% whole wheat bread and look for wholegrain cereals with 5 grams of fiber of more.
5. Iron for mental alertness iron rich foods also improve mental alertness and energy levels. Lean sources of red meat, poultry, spinach, beans, dried fruits, and whole-grains are excellent choices.
Simple suggestions...
Top off an easy weeknight spaghetti dinner with a few meatballs using 93% lean ground round. Test out whole wheat pasta for a healthy switch to complex carbohydrates.
Keep kids energized throughout afternoon activities and pack a homemade trail mix such as dried cherries, golden raisins, raw pecans or almonds, and wholegrain cereal. Remember that a little trail mix goes a long way... 1/4 cup equals a single serving.
6. Calcium o strengthen bones Last but certainly not least, calcium's great for growing youngsters to strengthen bones and help them remain active. Nearly 85% of young girls and 60% of boys ages nine to eighteen don't hit their calcium target of 1300mg. For four- to eight-year-olds, the requirement is 800mg.
Simple suggestions...
Make sure your fridge is stocked with healthy calcium picks such as low-fat milk or soy milk, yogurt and cheese as well as almonds, salmon, tofu, edamame and fortified cereals and OJ.
*Note: To limit your child's consumption of excess sugar and calories, limit juice intake to the recommended daily amount, which is 4 ounces.
Pressed for time? Pack turkey and cheese ‘roll ups' for a quick and easy snack or as part of a healthy lunch...the kids will love the fun shape. Use antibiotic-free turkey slices and regular or lite cheddar or Swiss cheese.
7. Water keeps your concentration levels up Staying well-hydrated is extremely important and helps prevent fatigue and keep concentration levels going strong.
Simple suggestions... Skip the sugary sodas and reach for a bottle of water instead!
Bring a little ‘zing' to regular water with a slice or two of lemon, lime or orange.
Foods that drain the brain Now that you've got your brain-boosting list down pat, steer clear of certain items that can quickly drain energy and kids' attention levels, often causing short spikes in activity and then crashing lows from excess sugar and artificial ingredients. Check labels and ingredient lists. Bypass the following items on your next trip to the grocery store:
Foods with artificial sweetener coloring
High-fructose corn syrup
Sugary fruit drinks, colas and juices
Refined white sugars and breads
Trans Fats and Oils
Processed snack foods and luncheon meats
Brain-boosting recipes (kid-tested and approved!) Whether you're scrambling to get the kids out of the door in the morning with a quick breakfast or making a fun family dinner on a Friday night, here are a few healthy recipes that enhance cognitive function without sacrificing kid-friendly flavor.
Banana-Berry Smoothie (serves 2)
1 medium banana
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 tbsp natural peanut butter (if desired)
1-2 tbsp ground flaxseed (if desired)
1/3 cup of 1% or 2% milk
1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
2-4 cubes ice
Put all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth.
Funny-Face Veggie Pizzas (serves 1)
1 mini whole wheat pita
2 tsp olive oil
Garlic powder to taste
2-3 slices of fresh part-skim mozzarella cheese
2-3 leaves fresh basil, if desired
3-4 fresh tomato slices
Assorted vegetables of (broccoli, red & green peppers, olives, spinach), allow kids arrange into a funny face with "olive eyes", "spinach hair" and "red pepper lips"
Salt, pepper to taste
Drizzle olive oil and garlic powder over pita; arrange tomato, cheese and veggies into a funny face. Bake at 375°F for 6-8 minutes until cheese melts and browns.
Eating a healthful diet has always been wise. But can certain foods, drinks, can supplement and actually make you smarter? In other words, is the concept of brain food factual or just hype? Recent studies have shown that nutrients may have significantly positive effects on the brain. In fact, some foods can maximize your brain's potential and remove obstacles to optimal functioning and disease.
I Won't Cry Mom, But You Should Give It A Try!
How The Brain Uses Nutrients
How the brain uses nutrients The brain uses carbohydrates for energy and omega 3 fatty acids for forming its cell structure. B vitamins play an essential role in brain function. In combination with folic acid vitamins B6 an vitamin B12 help manufacture and release chemicals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. The nervous system relies on neurotransmitters to communicate messages within the brain, such as those that regulate mood, hunger, and sleep. In addition, foods rich in antioxdant nutrents such as vitamin C and vitamin E and beta carotene, help protect brain cells from free-radical damage caused by environmental pollution. Protection against free radicals is important to protecting the brain well into the golden years.
1. Egg yolks for your brain function is that they contribute choline to the diet. Choline is a component of two fat-like molecules in the brain that are responsible for brain function and health. A choline deficiency may contribute to age-related mental decline and Alzheimer's disease
2. Spinach protects the brain from age-related problems Spinach helps protect the brain from oxidative stress while reducing the risk of suffering from an age-related decline in function. Researchers found that feeding aging rats spinach-rich diets significantly improved their learning capacity and motor skills. Including spinach in your diet may lessen brain damage from strokes and neurological disorders.
3. Yellow fin Tuna protects against Alzheimer's A cold-water fish, yellow fin tuna is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. This is important if we remember that structurally, the brain is made up of 60% fat. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids keeps cells' membranes flexible and maximizes their ability to allow important nutrients in. Yellow fin tuna is rich in the B vitamin niacin, which also protects the brain against Alzheimer's disease
4. Cranberries for improvements in memory, balance and coordination Animal studies suggest that cranberries protect brain cells from free-radical damage. Moreover, consumption of this tart fruit is associated with improvements in memory, balance and coordination.
5. Sweet potatoes provide nourishment for the brain Sweet potatoes are especially brain-nourishing. They are rich in vitamin B6 (necessary for manufacturing a certain kind of neurotransmitters), as well as carbohydrates (the only fuel source the brain uses) and antioxidants nutrients (vitamin C and beta-carotene).
6. Strawberries reduce the risk of age-related brain decline Strawberries help protect the brain while reducing the risk of developing age-related brain function decline. Just half a cup provides 70% of the Recommended Daily Value (RDV) for vitamin C. Research studies have shown that strawberry eaters may have a higher learning capacity and better motor skills than non-strawberry eaters.
7. Kidney beans to improve your cognitive function One cup of cooked kidney beans contains almost 19% of the RDV for the B-vitamin thiamin. Thiamin is critical for cognitive function because it is needed to synthesize choline. Kidney beans are rich in inositol (part of the b complex vitamins family). Inositol may improve symptoms of depression and mood disorders.
8. Raisin bran to prevent migraines and headaches Raisin bran provides carbohydrates, iron B vitamins, folic acid,calcium and magnesium. These are all important nutrients for brain fuel, as well as health and vitality. In addition, magnesium is a mineral that helps relax blood vessels, preventing the constriction and dilation characteristic of migraine and tension headaches. Increased intake of magnesium has been shown to reduce episodes of these types of headaches.
9. Lamb Loin aids concentration and mental performance Lamb loin is eaten less in the United States than almost any other country in the world. This is unfortunate because it is rich in vitamin B12 and iron. Iron is important for brain health because a deficiency can impair concentration and mental performance.
10. Wheat germ is good for the brain Wheat germ is a powerful brain food because it is rich in vitamin E and selenium (both very potent antioxidant nutrients), as well as choline and magnesium.
Another good source of choline is peanuts.
Other good sources are flaxsseed and olive oil.
The Cat In The Hat Sat On The Red Gnat
Language Development... "Do You Speak Parentese?"
Did you know?
Infants are mastering language simply by listening to us talk. Babies begin learning about language in the first months of life. They can hear the difference between? all the consonants and vowels used in any language. By the age of 6 months, infants have trained their ears to the sounds of their native language, and they have learned to distinguish these sounds before actually learning words. Baby talk, or “Parentese,” makes it easier for the baby to learn a language because the sounds are greatly exaggerated. Communicating With Children When talking with a child:
Use short, simple sentences.
Reduce the rate of speaking.
Repeat words, phrases and sentences.
Repeat what you say to your child.
Repeat what your child says to you.
Pause between words.
Talk about the here and now.
Use a lot of questions and requests.
Use a slightly higher pitch and an exaggerated intonation pattern.
Talk about objects that your child is focused on or actions he/she is engaged in.
Language and Communication Development Oral language is key to later literacy development. Infants focus on and develop language mostly because they want to communicate.
Infants
Babies want to look, touch, taste and listen to everything that they encounter (reaching, grasping, mouthing).
Toddlers
Discover that stories have a beginning, middle and end.
Learn to love stories and rhymes.
Enjoy books with familiar characters, objects and events.
Find predictable routines and rituals very comforting.
Love to practice new skills and knowledge.
Learn about feelings and like to hear stories about emotions.
Learn the difference between real and pretend.
Enjoy stories about make-believe (e.g., animals who dress up and talk like people).
Young Children
Show an interest in pictures by looking, patting, pointing or cooing at them.
Look at and recognize pictures in a book.
Learn about books and stories by actively listening and interacting with books.
Understand the picture represents a real object.
Caregivers
Exaggerate voice and actions to keep toddlers interested.
Involve toddlers by encouraging them to join in familiar phrases or words.
Act out an action in the story.
Find things hidden in a picture.
Engaging in Conversation Frequent one-to-one early conversations, maintaining eye contact, and repeating back those gurgles and coos from the baby help the infant to understand the nature of language and conversation. Vocalization in early months sets the stage for early language and literacy skills.
When adults engage babies in playful conversation by responding back to the baby when he makes a coo or sound, the adult is helping to lay the foundation for turn taking in later conversations and is providing the beginning stages of listening and responding for later literacy development.
Making up stories about daily events, singing songs about the people and places a baby knows and describing what is happening during daily routines give a basis for early language and literacy development.
Telling the same stories and singing the same songs over and over may feel boring to you, but in a small child learning happens with repetition. Speaking in warm, expressive voices and providing opportunities for a baby to hear different sounds, pitch and tonal characteristics of language are important. The more language they hear, the more those parts of the brain will grow and develop.
Tips for Effective Communication With Your Baby Keep up a running narration of your activities. It doesn’t matter that your baby doesn’t understand a word you’re saying. “I am getting cereal because I can see that you’re hungry.” “It’s cold outside, so we should bundle up!”
Ask lots of questions, such as “why,” “how” and “what do you think will happen?” Wait for a response, even though it will be a long time before you get an answer.
Let your baby participate. You’ll be surprised to see that, given a chance, even a baby a few months old will continue a coo or giggle to the conversation. “You’re smiling. I see that you’re happy today.” When she vocalizes or makes a gesture, respond as though she’s said something: “Oh, you like that color? It is a nice shade of purple.”
Pay attention. Find out what your baby likes and dislikes and what his moods are. Even babies want to be left alone sometimes. If he turns away, closes his eyes or becomes fussy, ease up.
Act out and exaggerate animal sounds. “Moooo cow!” Your enthusiasm encourages the baby to make sounds too.
Use dramatic tones, surprise tones, whispers, drawn-out vowels and special effects to keep a baby engaged. “She was soooooo sleepy!”
Read to your baby. Infants of all ages enjoy being read to. Get into the habit in the first months and you’ll find this is a rewarding experience for both of you through many years.
Make time for songs, rhymes and other “poetry.” No matter how silly the poem, memorizing helps build good reading skills.
Communication and Language in Play Play involves language with adults that provides a foundation for later literacy. Play activities can support the development of emergent literacy skills.
Reading to Babies, Toddlers and Young Children The Why? The What? And the How?
Reading to your child is the single most valuable thing you can do. Why? it gives experience of different types of language, rhythms and sounds
research shows that pre-school children who are exposed to plenty of language (books and conversation) tend to do better at school
it teaches about many topics which wouldn't come up in conversation
it is a wonderful way to bond with your child
it is very calming
WARNING: READING must be FUN, not WORK!
Reading, and education in general, are serious matters, but they are only meant to be serious for teachers and parents. If something isn't fun, children won't do it. And they have BRILLIANT ways of avoiding what they don't want to do: such as pretending they can't. Or making you feel guilty.
If your child doesn't enjoy it, he won't try. If he finds it hard, he will think he is not good at it. Your job is to make it FUN and EASY.
But Babies Too?
Yes, babies benefit hugely. The effort of focusing on pictures develops eye muscles. And each time he hears a particular word, it imprints more strongly in his brain. Think: how do our brains learn? They learn by doing. Each time your baby sees, hears, or feels anything, brain connections form. Eventually, the connections are strong enough to create a skill or a piece of knowledge.
I'm Not The Best Reader
You really don't have to be good at it. Read very slowly - that's better for your child anyway as he'll be able to hear the words more clearly.
If you feel your reading still isn't good enough, we have two suggestions: practice reading a story on your own before reading it to your child
this is a good time to ask for help. There are organizations which help adults with their reading. Ask your GP, Citizen's Advice Bureau or Local Education Authority. It will be worth it to be able to help your child.
How To Read
First, be comfortable, cosy and relaxed - both of you. On the other hand, hearing a story can be very calming for a child who is in 'one of those moods'.
Next, make sure your child can see the book the right way up as you read.
For babies and toddlers up to 2 years
point at pictures and say or ask names of things (depending on age)
use a slow sing-song voice
use different voices for different characters - be entertaining
spend time talking about the pictures before turning the page
say a name and ask your older baby or toddler to point to the item
give huge praise each time your child points at and names an object
For 2-4 year-olds
give your child time to look at the pictures before you read
ask, 'Where's the...?' 'What's that called?' 'What's she doing?'
always follow text with your finger as you read
with familiar stories, see if your child can join in or finish phrases
ask questions like: 'Why did he do that?' 'What happens next?'
discuss things you both liked/didn't like and why
For 4 year-olds and over (and possibly some 3 year-olds)
as for 2-4 year olds ask your child if he can remember the order of events in the story try paired reading (sometimes called shared reading)
Special activity
If you think your child may be ready for a real reading activity, try this: choose a word which appears several times (such as a name) show it to your child and tell him what it says: can your child find the same word again?
FINAL TIP:
Let your child see that reading is part of your life. Do you have books and newspapers in the house?
Choosing Books - For Babies, Toddlers and Nursery Children
Very young babies cannot focus well. You need books with large, simple pictures. Bold red, green, blue and black are usually best.
When you read to a baby you might be doing one of two things. You could be pointing at the pictures and saying the names, which helps your baby focus on specific sounds. However, this can become just a little monotonous especially when your baby is more interested in eating the book.
Or you could just read, so that the baby can enjoy the sound of your voice and hear the rhythms of different types of language, even though he won't have a clue what you are talking about.
Ideally, then, you need three sorts of books for a baby: bright, bold picture books to help focusing and identification
books with poems, songs, or stories of any sort which YOU like reading
books that you can safely leave in the cot, so that your baby develops a 'taste' for books. (Check safety labels carefully.)
Toddlers, and older pre-school children
For children who understand most of what they hear, you need different books. Let your child choose, though some 'guidance' is often necessary.
You need these sorts of books: a variety of different types of language to read to your child (including poetry, traditional stories and mystery as well as everyday stories)
a range of easier books with very few words, so that your child can begin to 'read' independently, by remembering a story which he has heard often
books which your child really likes for whatever reason
Don't forget: the written word is all around us. We don't only read books - we read shop names, road signs, shopping lists, advertisements, birthday cards.... All are a chance to show your child how reading works.
This Is The End But Not For You My Friend!
As you can see there is a combination of techniques required to develop your baby into the brilliant, smart and savvy kid you want them to be. After all Mom, and Dad give your child the best shot you can in this world of 6 billion people to be the best. As your baby grows you must be willing to grow with them. Once your kids are at grade school level the biggest mistake that parents so often make is leaving the education of their kids to teachers, and people alike. Know this the best person to teach your child is you. Reading writing music, and language development is just the start..