Brain development in children is crucial to shaping their future. In the early years, a child’s brain develops rapidly, laying the foundation for lifelong learning, creativity, and adaptability.
Children with healthy brain development often exhibit certain characteristics. These are some signs that indicate a child is meeting their cognitive milestones:
Bright eyes and agile movements
One of the first and most noticeable signs of healthy brain development is bright eyes and agile movements. Even in the first few months, these signs reflect the positive development of the nervous system and brain.
In the first three months, when an adult presents a toy in front of an infant, their eyes will intently follow the toy’s movements. This demonstrates an active and curious mind, constantly absorbing and processing information from their surroundings.
As their brain develops further, their eyes will become brighter and they will show enthusiasm in tracking moving objects. If, by around three months, a baby is unable to continuously follow a swaying toy, parents should take note and implement measures to stimulate their brain development.
Bright eyes and agile movements are important indicators, helping parents recognize positive brain development from the very early months.
Frequent laughter
The second sign is frequent laughter. Laughter is a sign that a child is quickly reacting to environmental stimuli. It indicates a sensitive child who perceives the outside world well.
Another reason for frequent laughter is a cheerful and optimistic temperament. These children are eager and enthusiastic about new experiences.
Moreover, laughter stimulates blood circulation throughout the body, supporting the nourishment and development of other organs. Thus, children who laugh often exhibit not only a cheerful disposition but also healthy brain development.
Their joy and excitement, expressed through laughter, are important signs of their cognitive development and a strong indication of a thriving brain.
Rolling over by three months
Another sign of healthy brain development is the ability to roll over early, usually by three months of age.
For many parents, having their baby roll over at three months is considered early. Not all infants can achieve this milestone in such a short time.
Therefore, when a child can roll over, it is a positive sign of robust muscle development and overall motor skills. The child has learned to effectively use their muscle groups to roll over, demonstrating their flexibility and strength.
Additionally, the ability to roll over reflects a strong desire to explore the surroundings. The child constantly tries to move and reach out to discover their environment.
Early speech development
Numerous studies have linked brain development to language skills in infants.
Typically, infants start showing language abilities around 4-5 months. By the time they are 12 months old, they can begin speaking simple words.
Notably, when a child’s speech becomes clearer and their sentences more logical, it reflects significant progress in brain development. Their brain has made remarkable leaps in processing, controlling, and producing speech with increasingly complex structures.
Monitoring a child’s language development is one of the most effective ways to assess brain development during these early years.
Children who demonstrate exceptional language skills often have more advanced brain development compared to their peers.