BRAIN
Brain Development
DEVELOPMENT
Early experiences affect the
development of the brain, which
provides the foundation for all future
learning, behavior, and health.
2
“A newborn baby has all of the brain cells
(neurons) they’ll have for the rest of their life,
but what really makes the brain works is the
connections (synapses)“
Synaptic Pruning - is a
natural process that occurs
in the brain between early
childhood and adulthood.
During synaptic pruning, the
brain eliminates extra
synapses. Synaptic pruning is
our body's way of maintaining
more efficient brain function
as we get older and learn new
complex information
What is the complete name of Dr.
Jose Rizal?
- José Protacio Rizal Mercado y
Alonso Realonda
7
What influence the brain development?
Early Experiences Environment Health & Nutrition
positive & negative nature vs. nurture adequate nutrition
experiences from their Safe and secure from pregnancy to
parents, caregivers and Abusive and toxic birth
environment
➢ Early sensory
experiences
REMEMBER! create new
synapses
Experience
builds ➢ Repetition of
CONNECTIONS experiences
strengthen them
Importance of Proper Nutrition
to Brain Development
A Healthy Start for the Brain
▰ RA 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay
Act - through this law, mothers and their children will have
access to a strengthened integrated strategy that covers
maternal health, child health, and nutrition during the first
1,000 days of a child’s life.
▰ Optimal early childhood development begins with
adequate nutrition from conception onwards.
14
Pregnancy (270 days)
▰ Babies developing in the womb
get all their nutrients from their
mother. That’s why a mother’s
access to healthcare, nutritious
food, and a loving and stable
environment are critical for a
child’s development
15
0-6 months (180 days)
▰ Mother should be supported in breastfeeding
their baby because breast milk is known as
their super food
▰ Overall well-being of the mother and baby
should be maintained in order for them to
have a strong and positive relationship
16
0-6 months (180 days)
▰ Familiesshould have access to
information regarding developmental
milestones and available immunization
programs and services
17
6-23 months (550 days)
▰ Complementary feeding is introduced to infants
▰ “Window of opportunity” for a child to start a
healthy and nutritious diet
▰ Continuous monitoring and understanding of a
child’s developmental milestones
18
What parents/caregivers and ECCD service
providers can do:
• Promote and encourage parents and
caregivers to provide children with
micronutrient supplements such as iron, folic
acid, calcium, iodine, etc. as prescribed by
health and nutrition specialists
• ECCD service providers should support and
improve access to health and nutrition services
• Parents, caregivers and ECCD service
providers should have the child’s health
checked regularly
• Mothers engage in early and regular
prenatal care to monitor nutrition, weight
gain, and overall health
• Promote breastfeeding for children in the
early years
Nutrition-sensitive
interventions and programs
1. Family Support Programs/Parent Effectiveness
Service – Advocacy on health and nutrition
practices for pregnant women and lactating
mothers, early childhood development, and child
behavior management, counselling on maternal
nutrition, appropriate infant and young child
feeding practices
2. Growth and development monitoring – for low birth
weight stunted, malnutrition
3. Mapping and Health and Nutrition Screening –
identification of nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women,
postpartum, and lactating women
4. Maternal Immunizations – tetanus, diphtheria toxoid
vaccine, and other vaccines as appropriate
5. Safe Motherhood Program – programs on
family planning, prenatal care, clean and
face delivery and basic obstetric care to
reduce maternal and neonatal death,
promote maternal check-ups, family planning,
vaccination and birthing in health facility
6. Supplementary Feeding Program – food
supplementation for 120 days for children enrolled
in Daycare/Child Development Centers and
Supervised Neighborhood Play
7. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program – assist
families of poor children to invest in health,
nutrition and early education
“Change the First Five Years
and You Change Everything”
