A Mum’s Guide to Nurturing Strong and Smart Kids

As parents, we all have dreams for our children. Some may want them to be the future doctors, lawyers, engineers or the nation’s movers and shakers. Others may hope their children will acquire talents that the parents themselves were unable to fully develop. In most cases (if not all), parents want their children to reach their full potential in all that they are interested in. However, before any of that can be achieved, physical and cognitive health is the foundation that ensures they achieve all those dreams. One essential aspect of this nurturing process is ensuring that children receive the right nutrients to build a brilliant mind and a robust immune system. Achieving the perfect harmony between nurturing cognitive brilliance and fortifying the immune system is paramount. Thus, I’ll be sharing two aspects that can contribute to this development. How to Stimulate Your Child’s Brain Looking to stimulate your child’s brain development? Besides providing proper stimulation via parents-child interaction and age-appropriate activities, nutrients that may play vital roles are DHA and Gangliosides. Around the time children reach the age of five, their brains experience the most rapid development, forming the basis for future cognitive development. What supports this development is DHA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is a basic building block in the brain that is not produced by the body, and therefore, it has to be introduced in their diet. Every kid has approximately 100 billion brain cells, but not all are connected. As kids are exposed to listening and reading, brain cell connections are being formed in their brains that are important for their lifelong learning and development. Gangliosides helps connect these brain cells, the basis for learning and memory formation. Together, the brain-boosting DHA and Gangliosides play a crucial role in supporting IQ development and memory function. When your child is fueled by DHA and Gangliosides, you can aid their brain development through reading. Before they can start reading, you can be the catalyst to that habit through your storytelling; it's about creating a magical bond through stories. Make reading a delightful routine by selecting a time in a day or a week—I suggest doing bedtime stories as it helps your children wind down after a long day. A study published by Fukushima Journal of Medical Science revealed that storytelling triggered longer-lasting brain engagement compared to reading picture books. The study hints at the potential benefits of storytelling as a powerful tool in shaping young minds, both psychologically and educationally. Therefore, choose age-appropriate books and dive into the narratives with them, ask questions and encourage interaction. As a fellow modern parent, I'll be the first to admit—we may have (sometimes) allowed our iPads or smartphones to parent our children. Not that it is wrong, but I believe that there needs to be a cap to it. Parenting is difficult—definitely! But I think what makes parenting easier is if parents do the hard work earlier. Screens are a part of our lives but finding the right balance is crucial. Telling stories to your child keeps their attention on you and what you are saying, and not on the graphics on the screen. Too much screen time can hinder their little brains. A research roundup on excessive screen time on child development revealed that too much screen time and juggling multiple media activities have been linked to challenges in things like reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, responsiveness, and academic performance. To help in this situation, consider setting reasonable limits on screen gadgets. In time, you will see that they are responding differently to you and others around them. How to Strengthen Your Child’s Immunity While the above tips are essential, a non-negotiable is a balanced diet. Young children are more susceptible to infections. And if they do not have good immunity, when they get sick, their body’s energy and resources are diverted to fight infection. This can temporarily disrupt growth and development including cognitive development and learning. When it comes to immunity, we know about the benefits of a well-balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, lean protein and whole grains. But do you know that probiotic can play a role here as well? The benefits of probiotic is strain-specific, so choosing the right probiotic strain is crucial. For example, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 is a scientifically studied probiotic. It promotes a balanced gut microbiota and improves gut function, supporting the immune system. Prebiotic is a food source for good bacteria in the gut, thus supporting the growth and activity of gut microbiota and probiotics. These combined benefits may help strengthen the child’s immune system and may help reduce the risk of infection. By reducing the incidence of sicknesses, it may also reduce the likelihood of absenteeism from school and visits to the doctor. Children with a strong immune system have more time to learn and explore. According to a scientific publication entitled Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health, probiotics act like friendly bacteria that team up with other gut ‘bugs’ and immune cells to keep your body healthy. When your child consumes probiotic, it helps to support a good gut environment. Study showed that a good gut environment plays a critical role in supporting the body defense system, protecting them from bad bacteria which may help their immune system stay strong. On top of probiotic, ensuring our children get adequate and quality sleep is like giving them a superhero cape for their immune system. Establish a bedtime routine that signals sleeping time. A scientific article by the National Library of Medicine suggests that getting enough sleep helps the immune system stay strong. Without enough sleep in the long term, it may affect the immune system and increase the risk of certain health issues like infections. A well-rested child is not just a happier one but also a more resilient warrior against germs. Plus, if your child sleeps early, you can too! Did you know that regular physical activity is a game-changer for immune health? The regular practice of physical exercises promotes improvements in quality of life and support immune system, reducing risk of infection and helps with overall immunity. A study looking into low physical activity among children saw increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. In fact, the study showed that increasing the average number of steps per day by 1,000 is associated with a reduced total number of days with respiratory symptoms by four days! So, whether it’s a playful romp in the backyard or a mini dance party in the living room, let’s keep those little bodies moving. Consider Anmum Essential Gold The NEW and improved formulated milk powder for children Anmum Essential Gold is scientifically formulated to help support the nutritional needs of growing kids. Anmum Essential Gold is scientifically formulated with breakthrough ingredient Probio DR10™~, the highest DHA level# and Gangliosides. There are a number of studies that have illuminated the incredible benefits of Probio DR10™~. Probio DR10™~ is safe and well tolerated which also plays an important role in supporting gut function. Most importantly, the combination of Probio DR10™~ with a prebiotic helps the body fight against infection. Study showed that Probio DR10™~ and Prebiotic reduced respiratory infections by 35%▲ & fever days in children1. DHA and Gangliosides play a pivotal role in supporting brain development, which is the foundation for IQ development2 and memory formation3,4, setting the stage for your child's future. DHA is a critical omega-3 fatty acid that plays a vital role in brain and visual development, especially during toddlerhood, when they experience rapid brain development. We need to know that the body's ability to make DHA from other fatty acids is inefficient. Anmum Essential Gold is probably the World’s only brand^ with Probio DR10™~, Highest DHA level#, and Gangliosides. The New and Improved Anmum Essential Gold contains 50mg/serving and 150mg/day (based on three servings a day) of DHA, which is the highest level compared to the product label of major brands of formulated milk powder for children in the market as of July 2023. A glass of Anmum Essential Gold provides 50mg of DHA. Just by having three glasses a day, your child is fed 150mg of DHA a day, meeting the recommended daily intake of DHA for children aged 2 to 6 years. It also comes with No Added Sugars**definitely a good choice of growing-up milk powder for your child. Try Anmum Essential Gold Today On this journey to nurture brighter minds and healthier bodies in our children, it is crucial for parents to grasp the interconnectedness of the two. When the two aspects are balanced, it ensures our child blossoms well. So, are you ready to make the change? Together, let’s build your child Stronger & Smarter* today! Get your Anmum Essential Gold sample by clicking here now! Disclaimer: *With proper stimulation & good nutrition. | ~Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 #Compared to the product label of major brands of formulated milk powder for children as of July 2023. ▲35% reduction is applicable to respiratory infection only. ^Referring to the product label for major brands of the same product category in the market. **Sucrose, Glucose Syrup Solid, Corn Syrup Solid, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Lactose, Fructose, Honey and White Sugar are defined as ‘sugars’ and ‘added sugars’ under CODEX Standard 212-1999 and CAC/GL23-1997. CODEX develops harmonised international food standards guidelines and code of practices. Under Malaysia Food Regulations 1985, Sucrose, Brown Sugar, Dextrose, Glucose, Fructose, Honey are defined as sweetening substances. References: 1. Sazawal et al. (2010). PLoS ONE. 5(8): e12164. 2. Kuratko et al. (2013). Nutrients. 5, 2777-2810. 3. Palmano et al. (2015) Nutrients. 7(5), 3891-3913. 4. Mulder et al. (2022). Curr. Dev. Nutr. 6 (7), nzac099. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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