Intelligence development depends on the interaction between genes and the environment. The first three years of life is associated with rapid development of the brain, thus, years of infancy and toddler stage have more impact on enhancing intelligence than months in middle ages. At birth, the brain is underdeveloped; the neurons are not linked. However, over time, these links connect forming synapses, and the more the synapses are formed, the more the message passes via the brain. The rate of formation of these synapses depends on the child’s interaction with the surrounding world. The immediate environment influences the potential to learn, get along with others, control emotions, and solve problems. For instance, each time a caregiver provides sensory stimulation, the growing brain responds by enhancing its synapses connections. Early care has a long-term influence on the development of the intelligence because the number of synapses formed and kept relies on the care a child receives. Warm, nurturing, responsive and consistent care lead to quick and better improvement on the intelligence. The child also requires environmental stimulation and diversity in auditory, visual and other sensory experiences to help enhance synapses connections faster.
On the contrary, lack of nurturing and interaction limits the child’s potential significantly. Those children that are deprived stimulation either unintentionally or intentionally have impaired child’s potential and intelligence development. Research indicates that stress associated with negative experiences also impacts on brain negatively. It is because when a child undergoes stress, the body releases cortisol, which can potentially wash over the linkages or synapses like an acid when are released at high levels. It happens when children are exposed to persistent stresses over a long time, causing cortisol to interfere with emotion regulation and memory development since constant exposure to stress trigger fear, anxiety, and mistrust. In fact, children exposed to persistent pressure grow up to be sad, angry, unhappy and even have problems with self-control as well impairment on intelligence development.
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Balanced nutrition that encompasses all required nutrients as well as breastfeeding a child as long as possible is associated with good intelligence development. The omega three fatty acids a child acquires from breastfeeding enhances knowledge development significantly. Moreover, when mothers have omega-3 fats diet when pregnant, the nutrients will be present in the child’s body. Thus, providing a balanced diet combined with adequate breastfeeding are some of the critical factors that promote proper intelligence development.
Furthermore, spending as much time as possible instructing a child, starting as early as possible, in numbers, shapes, reading, and colors as well as exposing the child to many experiences outside the home environment contribute immensely to an enhancement of intelligence in a growing child. Additionally, setting the stage for enriching the cortex by first providing positive emotional support such as love, warmth, encouragement, and caring leads to fostering positive brain development. Presenting challenges to the child that are neither too difficult nor too easy for the child as well as allowing social interactions are paramount. Additionally, promoting the development of a vast range of interests and skills, which encompasses mental, social, physical, aesthetic, and emotional development, enhances better brain development.
In conclusion, development of intelligence is shaped by both environmental and genetic factors. The development of the brain during infancy depends on the formation of synapses, which rely on many sensory information inputs to the brain to facilitate more links creation. Nutrition that includes omega-3 fatty acids and balanced diet as well adequate social skills development and interaction are factors that enhance better intelligence development in children. Nevertheless, the first year of infancy and toddler stage have a significant impact on brain development more than years after middle childhood.
