3 Factors that Influence Childhood Growth

If you’re a parent, you understand that cultivating a nourishing learning environment for which your child to grow in is essential to the success of their overall development.

For example, knowing that your children require daily physical activity may result in a trip to your nearest Toronto indoor playground, or understanding that in order to develop healthy habits at home your grocery hauls omit the need for any junk food.

While no two children are alike, studies show that there are certain factors that influence your child’s growth. There is no doubt that early experiences play a formative role in their overall development as they transition from childhood into their teenage years, and subsequently into adulthood.

The more you begin to understand childhood development, the more informed you are when actively making decisions about your child’s overall health and external experiences.

Today we’ll discuss 3 general factors that play a formative role in your child’s development.

Nutrition

There’s no denying that adequate nutrition plays an imperative role in forming healthy growth and immunity. A balanced diet should offer a proper balance of nutrients including carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, and fiber. Gaps in these nutrients can take a toll on a child’s development, resulting in potential setbacks of certain developmental milestones based on your child’s age.

Parental Behaviour

Children depend on their parents to receive the support and care they need for optimal growth and development. A lack of personal care during a child’s early years can have drastic effects on a child’s overall growth, personality, and cognitive capacity. Other factors within a parent or primary caregiver’s control include stress, stimulation, and personalized care. Studies suggest that increased stress levels and lack of stimulation in early childhood has been proven to increase the risk of developing stress-related diseases and difficulties learning later in life.

Environment

Stimulation and physical activity have shown to improve brain function in children. Studies demonstrate the kids who are physically active tend to excel academically in comparison to kids who are not physically active. In today’s screen-heavy environment, it can be difficult to get active. But options like taking your children to a Toronto indoor playground, to the beach, or on bike rides are all ways to ensure your kids get the activity they need. Check out our previous blog 5 Health Benefits of Playing in an Indoor Playground, for further insight on how physical activity in a Toronto indoor playground setting can positively impact your child’s health and development.

You know your children better than anyone else.

Finally, it’s worth noting that if you’re a parent, you know your children better than anyone else. No two children are the same, but ensuring they receive the care they need is important for their health and developmental success.