Tips for maximizing your child's IQ potential
Tips
Breastfeed Your Baby - Breast milk is the best brain food for newborns,
as it is an excellent source of neuronutrients. Studies reported that increased
duration of breastfeeding is associated with an increase in both verbal and performance
IQ scores 1, 2 .
Offer a Healthy Well-Balance Diet - Variety is the cornerstone
to healthy eating. Eating a variety of foods both within and among food groups is
the surest way of ensuring that your child obtains all the neuronutrients needed
for optimal brain development.
Do NOT Restrict Fat at a Young Age - Fat and cholesterol are needed
for proper brain development and function. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends
that we do not restrict fat intake for children below two years of age.
Start the Day with a Good Breakfast - Breakfast is the most important
meal of the day. It replenishes blood sugar levels of the brain and this helps to
improve mental performance. Skipping breakfast on the other hand, results in hunger
and low blood sugar levels that lead to poor performance of tasks that need concentration.
Examples of a hearty breakfast are a bowl of cereals with milk or a glass of milk
and some home-made banana pancakes.
Offer A Bedtime Snack to Promote Sleep- Getting adequate and quality
sleep is crucial to everyone, especially children; sleep is needed for the body
to repair and rest, as well as to promote release of human growth hormone, essential
for physical and brain growth and development.
Bedtime snacks such as a glass of milk plus some cereals or a sandwich help to induce
sleep.
References:
1. McIntosh GH, Howard DA, Mano MT, Wellby ML, Hetzel BS. Iodine deficiency and
brain development in the rat. Aust J Biol Sci 1981;34(4):427-33.
2. Morrow-Tlucak M, Haude RH, Ernhart CB. Breastfeeding and cognitive development
in the first 2 years of life. Soc Sci Med 1998; 26 (6): 635 � 639