Your Child's Brain Is Growing Faster Than You Think. 3 Fascinating Facts Every Parent Should Know

Brain Development in Children: 3 Fascinating Facts Every Parent Should Know

When most parents think about brain development, they picture milestones like first proper words, learning to read, or starting school.

But what many don’t realise is that some of the most important brain development happens long before a child ever enters a classroom.

In fact, by the age of two, a child’s brain has already reached around 80% of its adult size.¹ During these early years, the brain is forming millions of connections that help shape learning, memory, emotional understanding, communication, and problem-solving skills.

To celebrate World Brain Day 2026, join us as we explore how children’s brains grow and develop during these important early years through Enfagrow A+’s 30 Days, 30 Brain Facts Series. Here are three fascinating brain facts every parent should know.

Brain Fact #1: Your Toddler’s Brain Builds 1 Million New Connections Every Second

Imagine a city under construction.

The brain cells are like buildings, while neural connections are the roads that connect everything together.² Every new experience—hearing a song, stacking blocks, learning a word, or playing peekaboo—helps create and strengthen these roads.

The more connections the brain builds, the more efficiently information can travel from one area to another.

These connections support many important skills, including:³

• Learning and memory
• Language development
• Problem-solving
• Attention and focus
• Understanding the world around them

 This is why everyday interactions matter so much. Reading a bedtime story, singing songs together, having conversations, or simply playing on the floor with your child are all opportunities to help strengthen these developing brain connections.^4,5,6,7

Brain Fact #2: Why Do Toddlers Have Such Big Feelings?

Let’s talk about the meltdown over the wrong-coloured cup.

Or the tears because a banana broke in half. Or the complete emotional shutdown because it was time to leave the playground.

If you’ve ever stood in the middle of one of these moments wondering what you did wrong — the answer is nothing. Your child’s brain is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do right now. And once you understand the simple reason why, those big feelings start to make a lot more sense.

Research shows that a young child’s emotional centre develops earlier than the brain regions responsible for reasoning, planning, and self-control.^8,9

Think of it this way: the “feelings” part of the brain is working at full speed, while the “thinking and self-control” part is still learning and growing.

This means toddlers often experience emotions intensely before they have fully developed the ability to manage them. This is completely normal.

As the brain continues to develop, children gradually learn how to:

• Recognise emotions
• Build empathy
• Develop self-awareness
• Regulate behaviour
• Understand social situations

These abilities are often referred to as EQ, or emotional intelligence. While IQ helps children learn and solve problems, EQ helps them build relationships, communicate effectively, and navigate everyday challenges.

Brain Fact #3: Your Child Learns More Than You Think Just By Watching You

Long before your child can explain what they’re thinking, they’re constantly observing and learning from the world around them.¹⁰

Everyday moments matter more than you might realise. When your child watches how you communicate, solve problems, respond to challenges, or show kindness to others, their brain is actively taking in and processing those experiences.

Through observation, children begin to develop important life skills, including:

• Social awareness
• Emotional understanding
• Language and communication skills
• Problem-solving abilities
• Everyday decision-making

In many ways, your child is learning from what you do just as much as from what you say.

What Do These Brain Facts Mean for Parents?

While every child develops at their own pace, these brain facts highlight one important message: brain development doesn’t begin when school starts—it begins much earlier.

From building millions of brain connections every second, to learning through observation, to developing emotional skills alongside cognitive abilities, your child’s early years lay the foundation for how they learn, communicate, and interact with the world around them.

The good news is that supporting brain development doesn’t require expensive tools or complicated routines.

Many of the most powerful influences on your child’s developing brain happen through everyday moments:

• Talking, reading, and singing together
• Encouraging play, exploration, and curiosity
• Helping your child understand and express emotions
• Creating positive social interactions
• Providing balanced nutrition to support growing minds

Together, these experiences help create an environment where children can build the skills they need for both IQ and EQ development.

Because when it comes to early brain development, small everyday actions can have a lasting impact.^4-10

Supporting Brain Development Through Nutrition

While everyday experiences help shape your child’s brain, nutrition provides many of the building blocks needed to support healthy growth and development.

During the early years, toddler development happens at an incredible pace. As children learn new words, build relationships, solve problems, and explore the world around them, their brains require key nutrients that support learning, memory, focus, and cognitive function.

Among the nutrients that have received significant scientific attention are DHA and MFGM. ^11,12

MFGM: Supporting Brain Cell Connections

MFGM is a naturally occurring component found in milk that helps support communication between brain cells.

Among the recognised MFGM health benefits is its role in supporting the connections involved in learning, memory, and information processing. These brain cell connections help children make sense of new experiences and continue building important skills throughout early childhood.^11,13

DHA: Supporting Brain Growth and Cognitive Function

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid and an important structural component of the brain.

This is why DHA for toddlers is often highlighted by experts in early childhood nutrition. DHA helps support healthy brain development, learning, memory, attention, and cognitive function during the years when children are rapidly absorbing new information and experiences.^12,14

Better Together

While DHA helps support brain structure and function, MFGM helps support the connections between brain cells.

Together, they provide complementary support for healthy toddler development, helping support learning, memory, emotional growth, and cognitive function during the important early years.^11-14

That’s why Enfagrow A+ MindPro Step 3 is formulated with 8 brain nutrients, including expert-recommended DHA levels* and MFGM Pro, to support stronger and faster brain cell connections for A+ thinking, focus, and learning.

For older children, Enfagrow A+ MindPro Step 4 is scientifically formulated to support continuous brain development, helping support memory, focus, and learning during their schooling years.

Join our Enfamama A+ Club for expert-backed insights on child nutrition, brain development, and learning. You can also request a complimentary Enfagrow A+ MindPro Step 3 (120g) sample to discover how it can support your child’s growing journey. 

Every Small Moment Matters

Every conversation, bedtime story, new experience and nutritious meal contributes to your child’s brain development.

While there is no single formula for supporting brain development in children, understanding how the brain grows can help parents make more informed choices during these important early years.

Explore More Fascinating Brain Facts

These are just three of the many brain facts from the Enfagrow A+’s 30 Days, 30 Brain Facts Series. Explore the full series to discover more fascinating insights into children’s brain development during these important early years.

Featured Videos

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Want to discover more brain facts? Explore all 30 brain facts and discover fascinating insights about your child’s developing brain here

Celebrate World Brain Day 2026 With Us

Celebrate World Brain Day 2026 with Enfagrow A+’s 30 Days, 30 Brain Facts Series, featuring fascinating expert insights into children’s brain growth and development.

Don’t forget to share your favourite brain fact and be part of the conversation

*FAO/WHO recommends daily dietary DHA intake of 10-12mg/kg body weight for children 12-24 months or 100-150mg DHA+EPA for children 2 years old and above