Cognitive development in children
A child's primary skills in learning, reasoning, and solving problems are built down throughout the initial three years of their life. During this time, their brain develops at a rapid pace, allowing them to make sense of and engage with their environment. Their experiences greatly influence their capacity to learn and discover—what they see, hear, touch, and feel—along with the love and care they receive.
This is why the early years of cognitive development of your child should be carefully fostered. Here is a simple guide to help you understand the important steps of brain development, the nutrients that help it, and what you can do as a parent to support it.
So, what are the key stages of cognitive development in your child’s initial years?
There are different stages of cognitive development in a baby's life. The first two are the sensorimotor stage (0–2 years) and the pre-operational stage (2–7 years).1
- Sensorimotor stage (0-2 years): Babies learn about the world around them through seeing, hearing, feeling, moving, and eating things It helps them learn about their surroundings and enhances their senses.
- Pre-operational stage (2-7 years): Children at this age depend more on what they see than on what makes sense. They become more creative and interested, but it may be hard for them to understand different points of view or complicated ideas.
During these stages, giving your baby a stimulating environment, triggers and even right food with the necessary nutrients is important to support the developing brain.
But what are these nutrients, and how do they help? Let us make it easy for you to make sure your child has the best start!
Brain-Boosting Nutrients – What Every Parent Should Know
While every nutrient plays a role in keeping the body and brain healthy, iron, iodine, and vitamin B12 are particularly few of the crucial nutrients necessary for your baby’s cognitive development. Here is how they help and why you should ensure your little one gets enough of them:
Iron: The Brain’s Fuel for Growth
Iron is like a super fuel to your baby’s growing brain as it facilitates the formation of new neural connections and improves memory and learning abilities.2
- Why is iron important? It supports memory, learning, and overall cognitive function.
- Risk of deficiency: Children under seven, especially those born prematurely or with low birth weight, are at higher risk of iron deficiency. A lack of iron can impact learning ability, academic performance, and even mood, increasing the chances of anxiety and depression.3, 4
Iodine: The Brain Booster
Iodine is one of the most critical micronutrients for brain development, particularly in the first two years of life.
- Why is iodine important? It supports cognitive, visual problem-solving, and motor development, helping children process information and learn effectively.
- Risk of deficiency: Iodine deficiency can lead to impaired learning, reduced intellectual abilities, and in severe cases, long-term brain damage.5, 6
Vitamin B12: The Brain’s Protective Shield
Vitamin B12 plays a vital role in brain development, nerve protection (myelination), and cognitive function, making it essential for children up to six years of age.
- Why is vitamin B12 important? It helps with brain cell communication, memory, and concentration.
- Risk of deficiency: Lack of vitamin B12 can cause neurological issues like delayed brain growth, nerve damage, weakness, fatigue, and slow overall development.7, 8
As a parent, ensuring your child gets these essential nutrients through a balanced diet can set the foundation for strong cognitive growth and overall well-being.
From Bowl to Brain: A Parent’s Brief Guide!
Start by including micronutrient-rich foods in your child’s daily diet to support their brain development. Here is how you can ensure they naturally get the essential nutrients:
Iron-Rich Foods for Brain Growth
Iron is essential for cognitive development, and you can find it in:
- Lentils (dal)
- Spinach (palak) & other leafy greens
- Chickpeas (chana)
- Beetroot (chukundar)
- Avoid giving tea and coffee with meals, as they contain tannins that can interfere with iron absorption.9
Iodine-Rich Foods for Smarter Learning
It can be tricky to ensure your child gets sufficient iodine since it is present in small amounts in food. Hence you can include:
- Eggs
- Yogurt
- Iodized salt in home-cooked meals9
- Seafood (if part of your family’s diet)
Vitamin B12 for Brain nerve functioning
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in nerve and cognitive function. You can find it in animal-sourced foods such as:9
- Meat (pork, lamb, chicken, etc.)
- Fish (salmon, trout, tuna, sardines)
- Dairy products (milk, yogurt, cheese)
Adding these nutrient-packed foods to your child’s diet can help fuel their brain and set them up for a bright future!
Here are some additional tips
You can introduce fortified foods that contain these essential nutrients along with regular home-cooked meals to support your baby’s growth. However, it is always best to consult your pediatrician before making any dietary changes.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Drop your queries in the comment box below, and we will be happy to help.
References
- Malik F, Marwaha R. Cognitive Development. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Accessed March 6, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537095/
- German KR, Juul SE. Iron and Neurodevelopment in Preterm Infants: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2021;13(11):3737. doi:10.3390/nu13113737
- Pivina L, Semenova Y, Doşa MD, Dauletyarova M, Bjørklund G. Iron Deficiency, Cognitive Functions, and Neurobehavioral Disorders in Children. J Mol Neurosci MN. 2019;68(1):1-10. doi:10.1007/s12031-019-01276-1
- Office of Dietary Supplements - Iron. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/
- Zimmermann MB, Connolly K, Bozo M, Bridson J, Rohner F, Grimci L. Iodine supplementation improves cognition in iodine-deficient schoolchildren in Albania: a randomized, controlled, double-blind study1 2 3. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006;83(1):108-114. doi:10.1093/ajcn/83.1.108
- Eastman CJ, Zimmermann MB. The Iodine Deficiency Disorders. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, et al., eds. Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.; 2000. Accessed March 7, 2025. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK285556/
- Venkatramanan S, Armata IE, Strupp BJ, Finkelstein JL. Vitamin B-12 and Cognition in Children123. Adv Nutr. 2016;7(5):879-888. doi:10.3945/an.115.012021
- Hasbaoui BE, Mebrouk N, Saghir S, Yajouri AE, Abilkassem R, Agadr A. Vitamin B12 deficiency: case report and review of literature. Pan Afr Med J. 2021;38:237. doi:10.11604/pamj.2021.38.237.20967
