From mimicking parents to discovering cause and effect through play, everyday toddler behaviour offers a fascinating glimpse into how young brains learn and develop.

Have you ever noticed your toddler copying the way you speak on the phone, imitate your facial expressions or repeat something you do around the house?

Or perhaps your little one enjoys dropping the same toy repeatedly, only to burst into laughter when you pick it up?

While these behaviours may seem amusing or even exhausting at times, they are actually part of a much bigger developmental process. Behind every curious action, repeated game and new discovery, a young brain is busy learning, experimenting and forming connections.

In conjunction with World Brain Day 2026, 30 experts came together to share 30 fascinating brain facts over 30 days, helping parents better understand the science behind early childhood development.

Supported by Enfagrow A+, the initiative explored how the early years play an important role in building the foundations for learning, communication, problem-solving and emotional development.

Little Habits That Reveal Big Discoveries

Why do toddlers love copying everything their parents do?

From pretending to cook to speaking into toy phones, imitation is more than simply following what adults do. Children learn by observing the people around them, with these experiences helping their brains process actions and prepare to try them independently.

The same goes for toddlers who repeatedly drop their toys. Each time an object falls, children observe what happens next, gradually developing an understanding of cause and effect. Everyday activities such as stacking blocks, rolling balls and repeating familiar games also help strengthen connections in the brain.

Pretend play offers another important learning opportunity. When a child turns a cardboard box into a car or imagines serving tea, they are beginning to develop symbolic thinking and understand that one object can represent something else.

These seemingly simple moments are part of a remarkable period of growth. By the age of two, a child’s brain reaches approximately 80% of its adult size, increasing to around 90% by age five. During the early years, the brain can also form up to one million new neural connections every second.

The Everyday Moments Parents Treasure

For Malaysian singer and celebrity mum Adira Suhaimi, some of the most memorable parenting experiences come from the simplest moments.

“Kadang-kadang momen yang paling simple itulah yang membuat saya tersenyum sampai sekarang.”

Her reflection captures a feeling familiar to many parents. From playful discoveries to unexpected interactions, ordinary moments often become the memories families treasure most.

Beyond these visible milestones, however, much of a child’s development takes place quietly. Whether it is observing before attempting something new, experimenting with sounds and words, or learning to express emotions, each experience contributes to a child’s growing understanding of the world.

Why Do Toddlers Experience Such Big Emotions?

One moment your toddler may be laughing happily, and the next they are overwhelmed by tears. While these sudden emotional changes can be challenging for parents, they are also part of growing up.

During toddlerhood, the brain systems involved in emotional responses develop ahead of those responsible for self-control and emotional regulation. This means young children are still learning how to recognise, understand and manage their feelings.

As they grow, they gradually build other important abilities, including empathy, memory, language and problem-solving.

Sleep also plays a valuable role in this process, helping the brain process and consolidate what children have experienced and learned throughout the day.

Supporting a Growing Brain Through Play and Nutrition

Play, exploration and everyday interactions provide children with valuable opportunities to learn. However, nutrition is another important consideration during the early stages of brain development.

Among the nutrients highlighted in the 30 Brain Facts series are Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), an important component of brain structure and function, and Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which supports connections between brain cells.

Together with enriching everyday experiences, appropriate nutrition helps support children’s developing brains as they explore, learn and make sense of their surroundings.

For parents, supporting early development does not necessarily mean planning elaborate activities or filling every moment with structured lessons. Often, meaningful learning happens naturally through play, conversations, interaction and opportunities to discover the world at their own pace.

Enfagrow A+ Brings Brain Development Awareness Closer to Families

To bring the conversation about early brain development closer to Malaysian families, Enfagrow A+ is also organising a contest in East Malaysia, covering Sabah and Sarawak, from 1 October to 20 December 2026.

Participants will stand a chance to meet Adira Suhaimi in Sabah in 2027, offering families another opportunity to celebrate children’s curiosity and the everyday experiences that contribute to their development.

Ultimately, every new word, imaginative game, curious question and unexpected discovery represents another step in a child’s developmental journey.

The 30 Brain Facts initiative serves as a reminder that what may appear to be ordinary childhood behaviour can reveal extraordinary things about how young minds grow.

For contest details and terms and conditions, visit Enfagrow A+’s official Facebook page.