Language is an extraordinarily complex skill, one that takes the brightest children decades to master. Unfortunately, many children start their lives with a disadvantage: poor nutrition, which can seriously affect their cognitive development. In most cases, children seem able to recover from an early nutrition deficit. Nonetheless, it seems clear language learning is highly dependent on good nutrition and a healthy home environment.
Infancy
Scientific research has shown a strong link between breast-feeding and language development. One cause of increased cognitive ability is docasahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid and key ingredient in breast milk. DHA helps facilitate brain growth and development, which contributes to language learning. However, breast-feeding may also help improve interaction between mother and child, which in turn improves language. A 2011 study in the journal "Pediatrics" found that babies whose mothers were coached on feeding and verbal responsiveness had better nutrition and language development, while micronutrient supplements only caused weight gain.
Early Childhood
In 2010, researchers published a study of over 1,400 Bangladeshi children with varying levels of household food security. Those whose families had good access to healthy food had higher language comprehension and expression than those whose families ate poorly. This echoes the results of a 1992 study conducted in India, which found significant correlation between nutrition and language ability. As with infants, the mother's involvement is also crucial: This study found it to be more important than nutrition for a child's intellectual development.
Childhood
As children reach school age, their nutritive intake still has a significant impact on their school performance. Just skipping breakfast, according to a 2001 study in Public Health Nutrition, can cause low energy and reduced performance at school. This can affect language learning and ability, as well as math, memory and physical performance.
Current Research
While it seems clear that nutrition affects language and cognitive development, specifics are not yet known. The Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, for one, has undertaken several long-term studies of nutrition and development throughout a person's life. The center's goal is to elucidate the connection between early diet and later language abilities.
References
- Ask Dr. Sears: Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains
- "Pediatrics"; A Cluster-Randomized Evaluation of a Responsive Stimulation and Feeding Intervention in Bangladesh; Frances E. Aboud, Sadika Akhter; May 1 2011
- "Child: Care, Health, Development"; Household Food Security is Associated with Early Childhood Language Development; KK Saha et al.; May 2010
- "Indian Pediatrics"; Growth, Behavior, Development and Intelligence in Rural Children Between 1-3 Years of Life; DK Agarwal et al.; April 1992
- "Public Health Nutrition"; Breakfast and Performance; S Cueto; 2001
- Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center: Brain Development and Function Laboratory
