Grow My Brain, Please

Mommy, whuzzat? That’s an apple tree, Son. Who made it? God. Why? To give us fruit and shade. Why? Because He loves us. Why? Because He wants us to love each other. Why? Why? Why

When he was just a wee little guy, my son never stopped asking “why.” At some point, when I would tire, or would run out of answers, I would ask him, “Well, Jason, what do YOU think?” He would come up with some interesting answers.

Fortunately, I was patient enough to answer his many questions as best I could and I encouraged his thinking abilities when I would ask him why. As he got older, I would also get him to tell me his reasons behind his answers.

Eventually, he discovered our set of the Book of Knowledge, and after that, our set of encyclopedia. No smart phones back then. In fact, he recently asked me about them and when I questioned if he’d like to have them, he quickly answered that he would. Who knew?

Our brain begins growing connections before we are fully formed. Think about that! Consider what your baby is hearing, feeling, seeing (yep, he will follow a bright light before birth!). Is he being exposed to the sound of your voice talking and reading to him as you rub and pat your growing tummy? Music? Singing?

Or is he hearing you crying after a screaming match with your partner? Is he learning that he is in a dangerous place possibly getting tossed around or even hit during the screaming? Connections are being formed that influence his psyche. When you are in stressful situations, your body secretes the hormone Cortizol. Keep this in mind should you be pregnant. Make every effort to stay as stress-free as possible. Do it for yourself…do it for your baby.

Once your baby arrives, he will need for you to be present with him. He needs to be held, fed (no propping his bottle), cuddled, talked to, sung and read to, and smiled at often. Certainly, he needs to be changed, washed, and a dozen other things, but refrain from sitting him in front of the T.V. One thing the growing brain does NOT need is to be exposed to viewing television shows, especially adult ones. Early T.V. viewing (before the age of 2 years) has been linked to ADHD in children.

Start from day one to name things and people for your infant. He will understand words long before he is able to say them, so grow that wonderful organ we call a brain. Share books with him, read to him, talk to him, and sing to him. Eventually, answer his many questions, however monotonous they may be and don’t forget to ask him questions to grow the thinking area of that brain, too.

May God richly bless your parenting efforts. Happy parenting.