Parents are usually the child’s first teachers, the main source for daily stimulation and active interaction. The benefits of stimulation extends beyond academic to key areas of cognitive, motor, emotional and communication skills that reflect 360° Development.
360° Development is built upon 2 key foundations: Nutrition and stimulation that will help your child reach his developmental milestones.
Good nutrition is important during your child’s growing years. A key nutrient is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) which is found abundantly in the brain. Other important nutrients such as Arachidonic Acid (ARA), Choline and Iron play an important role in your child’s well-rounded development.
Besides good nutrition, stimulation also helps to strengthen connections within a child’s brain to encourage developmental milestones. Many simple activities that are part of your everyday love and care will help him grow and learn.
Here are some suggested brain stimulation activities that you can try with your child:
Cognitive |
 |
Call to him. Try saying your child’s name just before you enter a room. He’ll look around to see where your voice is coming from, now that he knows his own name.
|
 |
Play pickup. When your child drops a toy, hand it back to him. You may grow tired by the sixth or seventh time, but to your child this is educational. He’s learning about cause and effect.
|
|
Motor |
 |
|
Hit the floor Schedule daily floor time for your child during which he can sit, lie, or roll around on the floor and play with toys or with you. Using a playpen may make it easier to keep him safe.
|
|
Give him goals. Place an intriguing toy in front of your child when he’s able to sit up alone. This practice will encourage him to reach for the toy with one hand, which improves his balance. Place pillows around him for protection in case he topples over.
|
|
|
Emotional |
 |
Welcome a “lovey.” Have your child bring a favourite blanket or stuffed animal when he’s visiting a new place or staying with a sitter. Also called a transitional object, a lovey can boost his confidence and help him feel more secure.
|
 |
Be generous with hugs and skin-to-skin contact. This type of physical contact feeds your child’s sense of security.
|
 |
Make play dates. Arrange for you and your child to spend time with other children. At this age, they won’t actually interact, but they enjoy observing and being around other children.
|
|
Communication |
 |
Name objects and actions. Spoon, bath, eat. Your child is beginning to associate certain sounds and words with people, objects, and events, even if he can’t say actual words yet.
|
 |
Keep up the reading. You child will enjoy board books with colourful, simple illustrations.
|
|
Introducing the new Enfamil A+ Stage 2 with 360° DHA PLUS
Enfamil A+ Stage 2 is scientifically formulated with 17mg DHA & 34mg ARA per 100kcal.
Every time your child thinks, billions of neurons will connect rapidly for a new learning experience.
That’s why Mead Johnson designed Enfamil A+ Stage 2 with scientifically formulated levels of 17mg DHA and 34mg ARA per 100kcal. It has DHA levels that help meet recommendations* for infants aged 6-12 months. DHA & ARA are important building blocks for brain and eye development.
The new Enfamil A+ Stage 2 is also formulated with a unique blend of GOS and Polydextrose (PDX) which is patented in US, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Prebiotics (GOS) stimulates the growth of beneficial intestinal flora to maintain a healthy digestive system.
To find out more about the new Enfamil A+ Stage 2, click here.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. After six months of age, infants should receive age-appropriate foods while breastfeeding continues for up to 2 years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.
* FAO/WHO recommends daily DHA intake of 10-12mg/kg body weight for infants 6-12 months. FAO 2010. Fats and fatty acids in human nutrition. Report of an expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper no. 91. FAO:Rome.
