10 Tips to Support Children's Cognitive Development

As a family, you may have strong genetic traits, and you might think that your child’s cognitive development will follow suit. However, scientific research shows that not only genetic makeup but also the parents' behaviors and attitudes significantly influence a child’s cognitive development.

Cognition is a mental activity that increases through the shaping of the potential inherited from parents (environmental factors, nutrition, and external stimuli). While genetic structure influences the level of intelligence, behaviors and attitudes that prevent the realization of this potential or suppress intelligence can negatively impact a child's cognitive abilities. The first 2-3 years of life are critical for brain and cognitive development, with a significant impact if this period is utilized well. Failing to properly stimulate the brain and cognitive development during this time can result in limited effectiveness in later attempts. The learning process begins immediately after birth for every newborn. From that moment, every type of positive stimulus is of great importance, especially for cognitive development. Anadolu Health Center’s Pediatric Specialist Dr. Kemal Akpınar shares valuable advice for parents regarding easily adoptable measures and behaviors that support cognitive development both before and after birth.

1 - Take Precautions Before Birth

The mother’s nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for the baby’s physical and mental health. However, it’s also important to focus on nutrition even before conception. A balanced and adequate diet, along with essential vitamins, plays a significant role in the development of the baby’s brain and central nervous system. A deficiency in certain vitamins can negatively affect brain health.
Among the most critical deficiencies is folic acid, which can lead to neural tube defects, resulting in brain structural abnormalities that directly affect intelligence. It is also advisable to avoid harmful foods and drinks before pregnancy to prevent negative impacts on cognitive development. If the mother has a smoking habit, it should be stopped at least 3-6 months before conception.

2 - Have a Healthy Pregnancy

In addition to healthy eating habits, exercising during pregnancy can be effective for cognitive development as it improves blood flow to the baby’s brain. Regular check-ups during pregnancy are also vital for identifying potential issues that may directly affect the child’s cognitive development, allowing for necessary interventions.

3 - Maintain a Healthy Body for a Strong Brain

The brain’s development and the child’s existing cognitive abilities are directly related to the health of other body systems. Environmental factors, frequent infections, and poor nutrition can negatively affect both physical and brain health.

4 - Don’t Just Rely on Genetics

There’s a common theory that a baby born to parents with high intelligence will also be highly intelligent. However, intelligence is a hidden gem that requires nurturing. The child’s cognitive potential needs to be positively supported after birth. Genetics alone are not enough. A study revealed that even if two twins share the same genetic potential, their cognitive levels differed because one was raised in favorable environmental conditions, while the other was raised in an unsuitable environment.

5 - Feed Naturally

Children’s cognitive abilities are negatively affected when they move away from natural nutrition. Some oils and additives used in processed foods harm not only physical health but also brain health. Therefore, feeding the child with natural foods is essential. Fish and fish oil are particularly beneficial, but it’s important to correct the misconception that omega-3 is only found in fish. Omega-3, omega-6, and other fatty acids are present in a wide range of natural foods, especially nuts (like walnuts), eggs, olives, and olive oil.
Green leafy vegetables are rich in omega-3 and omega-6, but they cannot replace fish. Regular fish consumption has a significant impact on brain and cognitive development.

6 - Consult Your Doctor When Choosing Formula

Formula manufacturers add various nutrients, including fatty acids, nucleotides (essential compounds), and proteins, to support brain development. However, as the consumption of such industrially produced foods increases, some additives in these products may cause allergic reactions, negatively affecting the child’s growth and development. Therefore, consulting a pediatrician when choosing formula is advisable.

7 - Let Your Child Choose Their Toys

Parents often wonder what toys or games are suitable for enhancing their children’s cognitive development. However, when babies start to become aware, they are more interested in the objects around them rather than colorful toys. For example, they are likely to want to explore the kitchen, drawers, and household items such as pots, spoons, and ladles. In this way, when a child takes a teapot and places its parts on top of each other, they are performing a mental exercise. A child doing this is already engaging in cognitive training.

8 - Keep Your Child Away from Items That Dull Intelligence

Rather than trying to increase intelligence, it’s essential to avoid situations that dull it. Technology devices with high intellectual products, such as tablets, phones, televisions, and computer games, are among the leading causes of cognitive dullness. Children should learn about nature, animals, and vegetables directly from nature. Showing a lion on a tablet is not educational. Similarly, playing games on a tablet to enhance intelligence actually dulls it.

9 - Show Your Love Above All Else

One of the key factors for revealing and developing the cognitive potential in a child is love. The love a baby receives from their parents immediately after birth, and later from their immediate surroundings, helps the child’s emotional development. This positive growth is one of the key factors in intellectual development. In environments lacking love, even individuals with great potential may take longer for their intelligence to emerge.

10 - Consider the Third Eye

Supporting your child’s motivation and abilities is also important for cognitive development. A child may be exceptionally talented or intelligent. If this talent is noticed in environments where the child can express it, it’s essential to seek support from professionals who can recognize this potential.

Birth Affects Intelligence

Inadequate conditions during childbirth, particularly home births, which are still common in some regions of the country, can lead to situations such as the baby temporarily being deprived of oxygen or not breathing properly. These risks can directly affect the child’s brain and, consequently, their cognitive abilities.

The Difference of Breast Milk!

Breast milk is unquestionably the perfect food for a baby. Children who start breastfeeding immediately and are adequately fed with breast milk experience better brain development, making it easier to utilize their cognitive potential. Breast milk contains certain factors that stimulate brain development. The fatty acids in it are directly usable by the baby. The development of myelin in the brain, essential for fast nerve transmission, is positively influenced by factors found in breast milk. Numerous scientific studies show the positive effects of breast milk on intelligence.