Raising a child is a journey filled with numerous challenges and joys. One of the crucial aspects of this journey is ensuring the healthy development of your child’s brain. But why is it so important for your child to have a healthy brain balance? Let’s delve into this topic to understand its significance and the impact it can have on your child’s overall wellbeing.
Understanding brain balance
Before we explore the importance, it’s crucial to understand what we mean by ‘brain balance’. Brain balance refers to the optimal functioning and coordination of the various parts of the brain. The human brain is born with two sides or ‘hemispheres’. This includes the left and right hemispheres, as well as the integration of sensory information, emotional regulation, and cognitive processes. These hemispheres have very different functions and roles in our moving, thinking and social connection to the world. It is vital that these two hemispheres communicate effectively with each other as a ‘whole’ brain and are synchronous in their timing and rhythm in order for a child to function well in their world.
The brain’s many functions
Cognitive development
The brain is the powerhouse of all learning and cognitive functions. A balanced brain fosters better concentration, memory, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking abilities. These skills are fundamental for academic success and are instrumental in building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Emotional development
Brain balance is not just about cognitive abilities; it also plays a significant role in emotional regulation. A well-balanced brain can process emotions more effectively, leading to better management of stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. This is vital for your child’s mental health and for developing resilience.
Social skills
Social interactions are a significant part of a child’s development. A healthy brain balance enhances a child’s ability to understand social cues, empathize with others, and form healthy relationships. These skills are essential for personal and professional success in later life.
Physical coordination
The brain is central to coordinating physical movement and balance. A healthy brain balance helps in the development of fine motor skills and overall physical coordination, which is important not just in early childhood development but also in later stages of life.
Creativity and imagination
A balanced brain nurtures creativity and innovation. It allows children to think outside the box, be imaginative, and express themselves uniquely. These qualities are increasingly valued in various fields and can lead to a fulfilling and successful career.
Long-term health benefits
Research has shown that a healthy brain balance in childhood can have long-term health benefits. It can reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders, mental health issues, and cognitive decline in later life.
Building a strong foundation
Finally, ensuring your child has a healthy brain balance sets a strong foundation for their future. Whether it’s academic achievement, career success, or personal fulfilment, a balanced brain provides the tools needed to navigate the complexities of life effectively.
Functional disconnection syndrome
The right brain is known as the ‘big picture’ brain which is social and creative. The left hemisphere is known to be responsible for facts, figures, logistics, statistics, literal thinking and fine detail.
When the left and right hemispheres of the brain are not ‘firing and in sync’ with each other a child may develop what is often called a ‘functional disconnection syndrome‘ or brain imbalance. This functional disconnect between the two sides of the brain results in slower processing, causing slower thinking and learning, poor body coordination and movement patterns, and often social difficulty. Conditions often seen in childhood, such as autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, and some learning difficulties like dyslexia, have different symptoms but can all be traced back to an imbalance in the function of the brain and nervous system. Social difficulty is particularly common when the right hemisphere is not running smoothly as is often seen in autism.
There can be many reasons for this brain imbalance, often related to a child not reaching his or her developmental milestones on time in early childhood. The importance of a healthy brain balance in children cannot be overstated. It impacts nearly every aspect of their development and lays the foundation for a successful, healthy, and fulfilling life.
At Brainfit Kids, we help your child to get brain development ‘back on track’ using brain-based exercises and a sensory-motor homecare program that optimises hemispheric balance and improves connection, timing, and processing of information in the brain. We know that healthy brain balance and communication between the two hemispheres is essential for your child’s movement, learning, and social interaction with peers and the community. As parents and caregivers, focusing on activities and environments that promote brain balance is one of the best investments we can make in our children’s future. Here’s to nurturing the next generation of balanced, healthy, and bright minds!
For more information contact Brainfit Kids on (03) 9850 3063 to see how we can help your child achieve better brain and nervous system health.
