Brain Development
One thing that we know about the human brain and brain development is that our knowledge of the human brain is only in its infancy. In-spite of this, we have learning incredible things over the past 20 years about the brain and brain development; however our knowledge is still barely in its infancy. This lesson will cover a few highlights of what we now know about early brain development.
During the first three years of life a typical healthy brain in a typical healthy environment makes approximately three billion synaptic connections per second. (Information below will better explain what that means and how it corresponds to growth of neurons.) At around age three the process slows down significantly; though we continue to learn and synaptic connections continue to be made. At about age ten, the typical brain will begin to purge (prune) unused connections. This is sort-of like cleaning out and organizing your bedroom, removing what is not or least important and making everything left easier to find. Some times the brain does not perform this function very well, creating an ever increasingly cluttered and disorganized mind where it is difficult to find and access information. Fortunately most of us are able to continue to learn and discard useless information and connections through most if not all of our lives.
These first few years of life are extremely important to our development in many areas including attachment and relationships and language. The following web sites and videos will provide some basic information on early brain development. If you are reviewing this for IdahoSTARS hours, please review all of the information provided, making comments and asking questions in the areas provided.
Brain development is dependant on a number of different factors, genetics, prenatal care, factors that affect the mother during pregnancy, other influences we bring with us from before birth, environment, nutrition, interactions, music (discussed extensively in other lessons) etc.
Some of the following information is redundant; however, there is enough new information at each site to make it worth your time.
Please go to the following website and read the information provided including the first three additional information linked under “more.”
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Please watch the following video
How Stuff Works Discovery Channel
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Please read the following page.
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Stimulating Brain Growth and Development in Infants
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Researchers: Video games hurt brain development
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Neuroscience For Kids
Brain Development
Read first page
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Bulletin #4356
Brain Development
What We Know About How Children Learn
Excellent resource; somewhat redundant after some of the other information already read; however, the information is different enough with a slightly different angle that it is well worth the read.
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
The Baby’s Brain (Please read at least the first page)
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Alcohol and the Adolescent Brain—Human Studies
Alcohol and Adolescent Brain Development
Please read either of the articles directly above on alcohol and adolescent brain development.
Click here to ask questions or make a comment.
From Neurons to Neighborhoods: Executive Summary. The entire book is available on line. You do not need to read the whole book but it is available if you are interested. If you are reviewing this material for child care hours, please read at least the first page of the executive summary. This is only to give you a taste of this material to see if you would like to read the book for your own enrichment.
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development
Always report when you have reason to believe there may be child neglect or abuse, even if it is a situation where the child is not the recipient of the abuse, but witness of abuse. Abuse to others often eventually translates to abuse of the child. You can call your local law enforcement or child protection agency. In Idaho you can call 211 during weekdays.
Disease and disability can also dramatically affect the brain. And yet some amazing treatments can sometimes provide hope.
Please watch this amazing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSu9HGnlMV0
Click here to ask questions or make comments.
Mother’s milk can have a significant impact on brain development and other aspects of child development. This is something that you can support. Breast milk can be pumped and stored and then fed to the baby while in child care. How might this impact you? Babies that are nursed and fed mothers milk are less likely to have colic, are more likely to have better health and better behavior.
Please read the following.
Breast Milk Promotes Brain Development in Premature NICU Babies
Breastfeeding Moves People up the Social Ladder
Breast-Feeding Cuts Risk of Myopia
How much do we Really Know about the Human Brain: The Teenage Brain
The Human Brain...and the importance of fats.
Click here to ask questions or make comments.