“Why Does My Toddler Copy Everything I Do?” — Here Are 5 Key Facts About Your Child’s Brain
Your toddler's random antics actually reveal more about their growing brain.
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Have you ever caught your toddler pretending to talk on the phone just like you?
Maybe you've also watched them drop the same toy for the 10th time, only to burst into laughter when you pick it up?
As cute (and sometimes exhausting) as these little habits can be, there's actually a lot going on inside those tiny heads.
For World Brain Day 2026, 30 experts came together to share 30 fascinating brain facts over 30 days, giving parents a closer look at how children's brains develop
Supported by Enfagrow A+, the initiative highlighted how the foundations for learning, communication, problem-solving, and emotional development begin taking shape during the early years.
Here's what parents should know:
1. Your toddler copies you because they're learning by watching
Whether they're pretending to cook, talking into a toy phone, or mimicking your facial expressions, imitation is more than just adorable behaviour.
According to the 30 Brain Facts series, children learn by observing others. Simply watching someone perform an action helps their brains learn and prepare before attempting it themselves.
So, the next time your child copies something you do, just know that it's a normal part of the learning process for them.
2. Dropping toys is their way of understanding the world
That's right, each time your child drops something and observes what happens, they're learning about cause and effect.
Activities like stacking blocks, rolling balls, and repeating familiar games also help strengthen brain connections.
Even pretend play has a purpose. When your child turns a cardboard box into a car or pretends to serve you tea, they're beginning to explore symbolic and abstract thinking.
Around age two, children may also begin developing awareness of themselves, an important step in understanding who they are and how they relate to the world.
3. Their brains grow faster than you think
By age two, a child's brain has reached around 80% of its adult size, increasing to approximately 90% by age five.
During these early years, the brain can form up to one million new neural connections every second.
4. Big emotions are part of growing up too
One minute your toddler is giggling, and the next they're crying because you gave them the wrong-coloured cup.
This is due to the fact that during toddlerhood, the brain regions linked to emotions develop faster than those responsible for self-control and emotional regulation. This means children are still learning how to understand and manage their feelings.
As they grow, they gradually develop empathy, memory, language, and problem-solving abilities.
Even sleep plays an important role, helping their brains process and store what they've learnt throughout the day.
5. Nutrition is an extremely important part of early brain development
Among the nutrients highlighted by the experts were DHA, an important component of brain structure and function, and Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which supports connections between brain cells.
Together with everyday learning experiences, appropriate nutrition helps support children's developing brains as they learn, explore, and make sense of the world.
For Malaysian singer and celebrity mum Adira Suhaimi, the biggest impression is often left by the smaller moments during parenting
"Sometimes, it's the simplest moments that still bring a smile to my face even today," she said.
Her reflection is something many parents can relate to. Between playful discoveries and everyday interactions, it's often the simplest moments that become our fondest memories.
To bring the conversation about brain development closer to Malaysian families, Enfagrow A+ is organising a special contest for parents in East Malaysia
Running from 1 October to 20 December, the contest gives you the chance to meet Adira Suhaimi in Sabah!
All you have to do is purchase Enfagrow A+ products worth at least RM50.
Then, you can scan the QR code below and upload the receipt to submit your participation:
It's another opportunity to celebrate your children's curiosity and the little experiences that shape their early development.
