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Abbott Nutrition Careline 1800-88-6233 Mondays-Fridays 9am-6pm 
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YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES
Your child’s experiences during the early years of life lay the foundation for his / her future.
Each time your child uses one of the five senses, new connections are being made in the brain,
shaping thoughts, behaviours and learning attitudes.1
Thus it is important that you know how to help your child improve his / her progress in the following areas.
Visual Development
Newborns’ eyes are not able to focus on anything.2 With time, your child’s would be able to do these:
Visual Development
Newborns’ eyes are not able to focus on anything.2 With time, your child’s would be able to do these:
- focus on things 8 to 12 inches from the eye2
- be attracted to contrasting colours e.g. black, white, bright shades2
- look and focus on his / her hands and feet2
- look in all directions2
Recognition & Identification
Repeated words and actions strengthens your child’s memory and ability to form connections.3 Point to your nose and say ‘nose’ then do the same with your child’s nose. Repeat this action for a few days and introduce other parts slowly. When your child is familiar with the game, ask "where is your mouth?" (and other parts) and let him / her answer by pointing to it. 3 Try this game with pictures of animals to widen your child’s knowledge and improve his / her memory.
Repeated words and actions strengthens your child’s memory and ability to form connections.3 Point to your nose and say ‘nose’ then do the same with your child’s nose. Repeat this action for a few days and introduce other parts slowly. When your child is familiar with the game, ask "where is your mouth?" (and other parts) and let him / her answer by pointing to it. 3 Try this game with pictures of animals to widen your child’s knowledge and improve his / her memory.
Color Senses
Splashes of colors help brighten your child’s world!
Splashes of colors help brighten your child’s world!
- choose high contrasts colored toys (black and white)2
- introduce primary colors (red, blue and yellow) followed by secondary colors (violet, orange and green)2
- describe a color and have him / her identify it on different objects2
- provide materials to explore and express through colors (crayons, paints etc)2
- ask your child to pick up colored blocks. Give praises when it’s correct and be patient in showing the right answer if your child gets it wrong2
Nutrition and Brain Development
Diet during the early years is critical for development of the mind. As 60% of the brain consists of fats, a diet rich in appropriate amounts of fats and essential fatty acids such as phospholipids, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, AA and DHA helps in the development of brain and retina cells. Your child will also need taurine, choline and iron to promote communications between brain cells. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, C & E are important to protect brain cells and other vulnerable body cells, keeping them in optimum condition. No single nutrient, not even DHA or AA, at high levels, is sufficient to support brain development. It is more important to provide your child with a comprehensive range of nutrients to support overall mental and physical development.
Diet during the early years is critical for development of the mind. As 60% of the brain consists of fats, a diet rich in appropriate amounts of fats and essential fatty acids such as phospholipids, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, AA and DHA helps in the development of brain and retina cells. Your child will also need taurine, choline and iron to promote communications between brain cells. Antioxidants such as vitamin A, C & E are important to protect brain cells and other vulnerable body cells, keeping them in optimum condition. No single nutrient, not even DHA or AA, at high levels, is sufficient to support brain development. It is more important to provide your child with a comprehensive range of nutrients to support overall mental and physical development.
Interaction
Beyond human interaction, bonding with animals can cultivate kindness, responsibility and even a sense of belonging5 ie qualities that you want your child to carry throughout life. If you think that having a pet can improve your child's values, you may want to start with these:
Beyond human interaction, bonding with animals can cultivate kindness, responsibility and even a sense of belonging5 ie qualities that you want your child to carry throughout life. If you think that having a pet can improve your child's values, you may want to start with these:
- point out creatures in books and the tv screen. Name them and explain to your child about the animal's sound, where it lives, what it eats and how to care for it5
- bring your child to zoos or animal parks to see the animals live 5
- remind your child that it is important to care for animals by bringing them to animal shelters so that he / she will remember the responsibility of having a pet5
Your child’s learning process is an unique experience to you as well.
By teaching and walking with them
every step of the way, better and stronger relationships will be fostered. Not to mention, you will nurture
a well rounded and confident child!
every step of the way, better and stronger relationships will be fostered. Not to mention, you will nurture
a well rounded and confident child!
ABBOTT GAIN PLUS EYEQ™ & GAIN KID EYEQ™
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For 1-3 year olds, Gain Plus is packed with nutrients such as DHA, AA, Taurine,
Phospholipids and many more to start your child on the road to mind development excellence.
Upgrade to Gain Kid at age 4-6 to further strengthen your child’s mind and boost his / her abilities. Click here to read complete details on Gain Plus & Gain Kid |
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Your child could be our EyeQ ambassador and appear on TV! Come to EyeQ-lympix road shows and get your child to showcase his / her surprising smart moment for a chance to be crowned the EyeQ ambassador. > Click for EyeQ-lympix Roadshow details |
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Reference
1. http://factsforlife.org/03/index.html
2. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_colours.asp
3. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_1.asp
4. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_fruits_vegetables.asp
5. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_animals.asp
2. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_colours.asp
3. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_1.asp
4. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_fruits_vegetables.asp
5. http://www.abbott.com.sg/family/articles/article_play_n_learn_animals.asp