Brain explanation

Brain explanation

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  Brain Development Brain Development Brain power, brainstorming, brain scientist, brain food.... many of these terms are commonly used, but do you really know the facts about that mass of electronic power on your shoulders? Brain research is unraveling many of the mysteries of the brain • What is the brain? What is the brain ? • How does the brain The brain weighs only three develop? pounds, looks like a gray, unshelled walnut, and is the most • Why do parents need to complex structure in our world? The know about brain develop- brain is the body’s most vital organ. ment in children? Each person is born with over 100 • Does the brain grow faster billion brain cells (neurons). There are in young children? enough brain cells to learn just about anything, and more brain cells are not • Do we lose brain power developed after birth. Brain cells that over our lifetime? are not used, wither away. • How does music affect The brain can send signals to thou- Distributed in furtherance of the brain? sands of other cells in the body at the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. speeds of more than 200 miles an Employment and program opportunities are offered to There is new technology that allows hour. all people regardless of race, scientists to see and measure the How does early learning color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. North activity of the brain. These are called work in the brain? Carolina State University, PET scans (positron-emission tomo- North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department graphy). This technology has made Learning seems to peak between the of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. this amazing new information about ages of 3 and 10, but it continues the brain possible. throughout the lifetime.
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  Woodland Owner Notes Parts of the brain: Cerebral Cortex - This thin layer on the brain’s surface that includes lobes or Frontal lobe Parietal Lobe sections: Temporal lobe Occipital lobe * Occipital lobe - processes vision; is located near base of back of head * Temporal lobe - processes hearing, speech, language development * Frontal lobe - area where critical thinking and problem solving occur * Parietal Lobe - processes sensory stimuli * Limbic system - controls emotions and long-term memory * Prefrontal lobe - allows us to plan and rehearse future actions; connected to the limbic area to help regulate emotions * Cerebellum - controls automatic movements and balance Between 10 and 18 months, a baby’s emotions are The brain defines who we are, and it is influenced developed. Emotions are closely connected with by what we do. With proper stimulation, the long-term memory. synapses become stronger. Electrical chemicals are The brain is shaped the most during the first 10 sent out that make the connections stronger and years of life. Teaching music, language, and other more permanent. lifelong skills will be easier during these early years. How parents and caregivers can Listening to Mozart (and other classical music) nurture positive brain development early in life exercises the same neurons used for mathematics and spatial reasoning. • Give consistent loving care. How does the brain work? If a child is raised in a loving setting, they will Life shapes the brain’s development. learn to love. Children who are ignored or Warm touches and caregivers who talk not nurtured will not fully develop all areas of positively to the infant allow the brain to take in all their brains. things around them. On the other hand, severe • Touch infants. stress that goes on for many months or years in In research with infants, it was shown that early childhood can actually affect the develop- gently massaging premature infants three ment of a child’s brain. times per day for 15 minutes helped them The brain is just waiting to send out signals to gain weight, be more alert, and cry less. These other parts to connect the wiring to form what infants were released from the hospital sooner kind of person the infant will become. These than infants who were not massaged. Addition connections between cells are called synapses. A ally, low lights, skin-to-skin holding, and being connection (synapse) is made depending on the near the mother’s heart can improve growth stimuli or signals the brain gets from the setting. and save medical costs for premature infants. 2
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  Managing for Hardwood • Pay attention to hearing and language. Vivid memories are often tied to emotional Repetition forms connections. Talk to the reactions to particular situations. The more baby so that he or she will begin babbling. vivid the memory, the stronger the print in Name what you are doing, name items, point the brain. The limbic system regulates emo and show expression on your face. tional impulses and helps us make decisions about what to do... run, cry, react, whine, Lots of ear infections can slow down language turn away. If the goal in childhood is survival development because babies cannot hear and coping skills around survival are taught, words repeated to them. this will become permanent. If trust is nur It is easier for children to learn two languages tured, then this will become part of the child’s than it is for adults. For example, children nature. Neglect or trauma during childhood whose parents speak Spanish and English could cause learning and behavioral problems create two maps and strengthen their use of later on. both languages when both these areas of the • Be gently physical. brain are used in childhood. Children need to move their small (fingers • Watch babies notice the world at 2 to 4 months. and toes) and large (by running and jumping) Watch the health of the eyes to assure babies body parts. Expose your child to a safe variety are taking in the colors, faces, and shapes of physical activities as they grow. During the around them. Each neuron is attaching to child’s preschool years, think of all areas — 15,000 other neurons during the first months. climbing, splashing, slow and fast movement, The development of vision peaks at 8 months. hard and soft areas, different textures like clay, In research with infants, it was found that if and and paint. cataracts were not removed by age 2, children • Mirror behaviors you want in children. were unable to see since the vision centers were not used and did not develop. Children will pick up many behaviors of the adults around them. If parents voices are loud, • Look for teachable moments. children may be loud; if parents use soft warm Every day offers windows of learning for touches, children will learn the same. If children. When you are dressing your child, children see patience in adults looking for name items, colors, and count. When you are solutions to problems, they will see that fixing dinner, let toddlers play with plastic learning is a process with many steps. dishes. When you can, name things that are Summary the same, different, bigger, smaller, hot, cold. When you drive in the car, point out things The power of the brain is very intercon- like trees, cars, big trucks, and stop signs. nected. In early years, children learn symbols to understand meanings. For • Use music because it relates to math skills. example, outstretched arms may mean a toddler By exposing children to complex musical wants “up,” or hugs may be a symbol of love and sounds (Mozart, not hard rock), children will security. But over time, these key elements found develop the same areas of the brain required in the emotional centers of the brain begin to for math and spatial reasoning. Using mazes, organize responses to things that happen. Over copying patterns, and drawing shapes has time, life experiences combine to form our under- been shown to improve with exposure to standing of abstract concepts, such as justice, pride, complex musical sounds. forgiveness, anger, and security. Adults play a critical role in the lives of children. Helping children • Know that emotional connections can be stress- organize their world takes time, patience, and ful or relaxed. 3
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  Woodland Owner Notes warmth,but these efforts form the building blocks References: to positive, human interactions. Als, H., & Gilkerson, L. (1995) Developmentally For additional information please refer to the Supportive Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care following Extension publications: Unit. Zero to Three: National Center for Clinical Programs. Appropriate Limits for Young Children, Parts 1 and 2, 15 (6). FCS-455 and FCS-456 Greenspan, S. (1997), Growth of the Mind. New Growing Together: Infant Development, FCS-459 York: Addison Wesley. Growing Together: Preschooler Development, Perry, Bruce (1995). Incubated in Terror:20 FCS-454 Neurodevelopmental in the “Cycle of Violence” Children, Youth and Violence: Searching for solutions. Quality Child Care: What does it really mean? New York: Guilford Press. FCS-460 Ramey, C. & Ramey, S.L. (1996). “Music of the Selecting Child Care: A checklist, FCS-458 Hemispheres.” Discover. Helping Children Cope with Stress, FCS-457 Shore, R. (1997). Rethinking the brain: New insights Also see the Family and Consumer Sciences’ into early development. New York: Families and Web at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs Work Institute. Developed by Karen DeBord, Ph.D. Extension State Specialist, Child Development 5,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $563.58, or $.11 per copy. Published by NORTH CAROLINA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE 6/00—5M—JMG FCS-481 E00-38871