St. Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis found that living in a safe neighborhood, eating well, having positive interactions and a stable sleep schedule are key elements of healthy behavioral and cognitive development in children. Results of the study: shared In JAMA Pediatrics.
During the study, scientists analyzed the lives of 232 mothers and their children in the first year of their lives. Researchers collected data on participants’ diet, leisure activities, sleep and place of residence. When the children turned three, scientists analyzed the children’s social, emotional and cognitive developmental characteristics and also performed magnetic resonance imaging to scan the subjects’ brain structure.
They found that even children born in disadvantaged and resource-poor environments can develop normally mentally if parents try to provide them with adequate food, sleep, safety, and time to spend together in leisure and learning activities.
These factors for successful adulthood may seem obvious, scientists say. However, in the first year of life, each of these provides a solid foundation for the child’s subsequent development and increases his chances of successful integration into society. Most likely, this is due to the flexibility of the developing child’s brain in perceiving what is happening.
Previously was named It is a possible symptom of depression that occurs in childhood.