Local experts, Dr. Rakhee Yadav, a consultant paediatrician from Ara Damansara Medical Centre and Associate Professor Dr. Cheah Pike See, a neuroscientist and anatomist at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), shared at the Enfagrow A+ Mindpro Holistic Brain Expo today that parents should be concerned about their kids’ balanced development in both IQ and EQ, rather than emphasising IQ development alone, due to the constantly evolving future.
“According to the 2019 National Health Morbidity Survey (NHMS), the prevalence of mental disorders among Malaysian children aged five to nine years is estimated at one in 20 children. Our kids need balanced IQ and EQ development to be future-ready.
While professional success is the ambition of most parents for their kids, it is equally important to create a future generation that can successfully build social connections, handle stress, and live life confidently amidst the challenges expected in such a fast-paced world,” said Dr. Rakhee Yadav.
Assoc Prof Dr. Cheah Pike See also emphasised, “Nutrition, bonding, and experiences are the three crucial building blocks for a growing child as they contribute to a child’s intellectual, emotional, and social abilities.
It is important for parents and educators to be aware and provide children with the right nutrition, emotional support, and positive experiences during these formative years. This lays the foundation for their future success and lifelong holistic development.”
Supporting their views is the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025 (Preschool to Post-Secondary Education), which recognises the growing awareness among parents and educators about the importance of nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing and developing their EQ alongside their academic skills.
EQ development has become a focus in Malaysia, with an increasing emphasis on social and emotional learning in schools and early childhood education programs.
These comments were made at the launch of the Holistic Brain Expo – An Educational Expo for Future-Ready Kids, a collaborative effort between Enfagrow A+ MindPro and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), emphasising their dedication to the future of education. As part of this collaboration, UPM played a vital role in shaping the expo’s content and objectives.
Additionally, Enfagrow A+ MindPro extended invitations to over 500 students and educators from 15 kindergartens across Klang Valley to participate in this prestigious educational expo.
The expo was officially launched by esteemed individuals including Assoc Prof Dr. Cheah Pike See; Dr. Rakhee Yadav, Brian Fischel, General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam; and Enfagrow A+ MindPro Celebrity Mom, Nur Fazura.
“The human brain is an intriguing invention of nature. During growth spurts, brain cells multiply to establish a multitude of connected networks. The more the brain cells connect, it supports the holistic development of the brain. MFGM and DHA produce brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which carry information from one brain cell to another, regulating mental and emotional abilities.
It is important for parents to understand the required nutrition in early toddlerhood and preferably nutrition should contain MFGM to help nourish EQ development and expert recommended DHA that nourishes IQ development. The benefits of nutrition extend into adolescence, shaping a child’s intellectual and emotional well-being in the long run,” added Dr Rakhee Yadav.
“Enfagrow A+ MindPro recognises the critical role of strong nutrition during the first five years of a child’s life in fostering holistic brain development. Research shows that 90% of brain development occurs during this period, making a strong nutritional foundation paramount. As the future constantly evolves, encompassing challenges like climate change and opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI), parents are increasingly aware of their child’s readiness to navigate the changing landscape and pursue their chosen career paths.
With a rich legacy of industry leadership spanning decades, Enfagrow A+ MindPro has revolutionised child nutrition through scientific breakthroughs such as DHA & MFGM. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empower parents and educators, promoting a holistic approach to children’s brain development. This educational expo serves as a platform to raise awareness and reach a wider audience, highlighting the crucial importance of laying the right foundation from toddlerhood,” said Brian Fischel, General Manager of Mead Johnson Nutrition, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.
The expo features a range of interactive experiences, including a virtual tour of the Brainverse, a shimmering dome where visitors will be transported ‘inside a brain’ for an electrifying display of neural networks firing up as the brain develops during the first five years of life.
In addition, the edutainment event features interactive experiences, including an exhibit with real brains, a hands-on synthetic brain-anatomy game, interactive technology to delve into the inner workings of the brain, and fun brain games and challenges.
Throughout the exhibition, parents and educators will have access to knowledge from leading experts on proper nutrition, parental education, and healthy lifestyle/environmental choices to support their children’s optimal development.
Entrance is free and open to the public. Opening hours are from 10am to 10pm from 18 May to 21 May and the expo is suitable for parents, children, educators and healthcare professionals working with children. For more information, please visit Enfagrow A+ Malaysia Facebook page.
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