Aiding Baby’s Emotional, Intellectual Development

You gaze lovingly into your newborn's eyes as you feed him. You speak gently to your daughter as you change her diaper. You sing to your child at bedtime.

These caring acts help your child build a healthy brain.

"We no longer believe that there is a window for brain development, but rather that development starts before we are born and continues throughout childhood and our entire life," says Lawrence W. Brown, M.D., a pediatric neuropsychiatrist in Philadelphia.

A baby is born with 100 billion brain cells, called neurons. In childhood, these neurons continue to make connections with other neurons in the systems that control our lives. Your child's brain continues to develop in response to stimulus from light, color, sound, touch and other sensory input, although heredity also helps shape the brain's development. 

Because most brain development takes place after birth, parents have many opportunities to contribute to the brain's healthy development.

"It's never too late to get started with learning and problem solving," says Dr. Brown.

Normal development

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers several tips for your child's brain development:

• Be warm, loving and responsive.

• Be consistent.

• Pick up on your child's reactions and expressions of interest.

• Talk, read and sing to your child.

• If you speak a second language, use it at home. A child's brain is adept at learning several languages at a time.

• Play with your child every day.

• Choose quality child care and stay involved.

• Don't overdo such popular but unproven techniques as classical music and flash cards.