• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

8 Ways Neuroscience Supports Natural Parenting

Photo:  Attribution Some rights reserved by BlatantNews.comNeuroscience supports natural parenting

Neuroscience supports natural parenting

Last Thursday, I attended a conference on Teaching Children with Developmental Disabilities to Speak:  Current Research and Best Practices in San Francisco.  I was enthralled when Martha Burns, Ph.D spoke on neuroscience, as she supported my green mama rants.  From eating organic food to getting kids outside, I thought the neuroscientists had been reading this blog! (or more likely I am reading the neuroscientists).

I am thrilled to see science proving what natural parents know instinctually.  Here is a summary of what I learned from the conference that supports natural parenting with links to past Eco Child’s Play posts on the subjects:

  1. Exercise builds neurons:  Just an hour a day of light exercise builds neurons in humans of any age.  Children need to be outside.  Schools need to maintain recess and physical education programs.  After school, children need to run around outside and play.
  2. TV causes language delays:  Watching television makes children good at watching television. It does not promote learning, language,  or social and emotional development.  Just like in sports you need to practice, practice, practice to hone skills.  Think what watching TV is practicing in a child’s developing brain, i.e., being good at watching TV.  In fact, Dr. Burns mentioned how Disney is offering refunds for Baby Einstein videos because they actually make children dumber.
  3. No electronic toys and white noise!:  Just like with TV, noisy toys do not stimulate cognitive development in children.  Dr. Burns stated, “Toys “R” Us toys are designed for us, not for our children.”  The brain does not like white noise (sorry [amazon_link id=”0553381466″ target=”_blank” ]Happiest Baby on the Block[/amazon_link]).  Sleep performs a very important function in our brain, and Dr. Burns was very clear that the world should be quiet when we rest.
  4. Talk, talk, talk, play, play, play:  The best practice for language and cognitive development.
  5. Avoid BPA!: Our genes are most vulnerable during pregnancy and adolescent.  Chemicals in our environment affect our genes ([amazon_link id=”0879698756″ target=”_blank” ]epigenetics[/amazon_link]).
  6. Parenting and nurturing affects genes: Here’s the scientific proof attachment parenting is important.  Behavioral cues are also part of epigenetics (“environmental factors that change genes in the first and second generation”).  Babies need to be held and talked to closely to caregivers.
  7. “The best diet for pregnancy is organic!”: Epigenetics again!  Maternal diet has a great effect on the developing brain.
  8. A well-balanced diet is best for the brain:  We should eat a variety of different colored vegetables, essential fatty acids, and high protein. Brain foods include those with omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin (tumeric), flavonoids (chocolate and red wine:)), B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, choline (soy, lettuce, beef, egg yolks), vitamin C, calcium, zinc (oysters, beans, almonds), selenium (nuts, cereals, eggs), copper (oysters, beef, molasses, cocoa), and iron. It is best to get your nutrients from real food, as our body doesn’t handle supplements well.   Omega fatty acids are essential for myelination in the brain.  Highly processed carbohydrates are potentially neurodestructive!

It’s exciting to see that there is a scientific backing for natural parenting!

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Gifts of Breastfeeding: Humans Are Mammals
BPA on Money Means More BPA in You »

Comments

  1. Erinne says

    December 15, 2010 at 5:19 am

    Most of that sounds great. I’m interested in the concern about white noise, though. My daughter sleeps with a fan on and has her whole life (she’s 16 months). She’s a VERY light sleeper, and the fan helps muffle the noise of living in an apartment with loud neighbors and just my husband and I creaking the floorboards and such. Is even white noise like that bad? I think there’s a big difference between the sound of a fan and the constant blare of a tv or even mindless music. I guess it doesn’t really matter, as the fan is pretty much a necessity at this point.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lance says

      December 15, 2010 at 6:57 am

      Erinne, the presenter did say any white noise, but as you said the fan seems to be a necessity now. The point being for the brain to truly be at rest (which it is working when it at rest), it needs complete silence. Obviously, that is not possible in urban settings.

      Reply
  2. Brenna says

    December 15, 2010 at 10:16 am

    I am infinitely fascinated in neuroscience and love when the science proves what many of us have known for a long time. But if it changes one person’s mind it is worth it! (I use white noise in my baby girl’s room too, but after this I think we need to wean her off of it…)

    Reply
  3. Frog Mom says

    October 18, 2012 at 7:04 am

    Great article! I am fascinated by the studies in neuroscience between outdoors activities and the development of kids’ brains and appreciate your practical advice on natural parenting. Well done.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Tweets that mention Neuroscience Supports Natural Parenting -- Topsy.com says:
    December 14, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Causes and Effects, Folu Gisanri, Lisa Nolan, Child of God, Yssel & Son's and others. Yssel & Son's said: Neuroscience Supports Natural Parenting http://bit.ly/fXikvU […]

    Reply
  2. 5 Green Products: Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree, Nature’s Gate Holiday Gift Sets, and B Toy’s Eco-Friendly Packaging says:
    December 19, 2010 at 10:51 am

    […] child, I feel this is a toyed designed for adults, not a child, as described in the presentation on neurology I recently attended.   What 18-month-old needs a cell […]

    Reply
  3. 5 Green Products: Recycled Cardboard Christmas Tree, Nature’s Gate Holiday … | GoGreen.me says:
    December 19, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    […] child, I feel this is a toyed designed for adults, not a child, as described in the presentation on neurology I recently attended.   What 18-month-old needs a cell […]

    Reply
  4. What To Do when Kids Don’t Know How To Play in Nature | Frog Mom says:
    October 18, 2012 at 5:58 am

    […] it’s been studied enough by Richard Louv and the Children & Nature Network as well as neuroscientists. Playing outside is good for our kids’ health but it’s also good for our kids’ […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

Why is there petroleum in my kid’s mac and cheese? It’s the yellow #5 and #6 food coloring

Hank D and the Bee: Bee, the Reluctant Canary

Original Children's Clothing

New York public school adopts 100% vegetarian school lunch

5 Green Products: ReUseThisBag, Naturopathica, Farmer Jason, Baby Gourmet, Attached

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

"60 Minutes": 8 Reasons Why the Obama Girls Should Attend Public School

Into the Trees: A book About a Child's First Adventure Into the Woods

Alternative Energy Education: Sustainable Living in the 21st Century

essential oils sunburns

Essential Oils Treatment for Sunburns

Outdoor Kid Gifts: Princeton Tec Bot LED Head Lamp for Children

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Parental Convenience And Its Ecological Effects

Night Lights Increase Breast Cancer Risk

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes: Organic Cashew Golden Gravy

The Ultimate Greenwashing: Barbie Goes Green

Hank D and the Bee: Summer Snow

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.