Broca’s Area, Neurons and Grey matter later, we’ve seen the structure of the brain and the central nervous system, and have a rough idea of how the processes are going on in there. So now what we want to know is how does it apply to our children, and how many of these processes are they capable of?
Well on a physical level, the answer is quite a lot!! At around the fourth week of pregnancy a human embryo will fold over to form a neural tube that will later become the central nervous system (i.e.: the brain and spinal cord). Neurons then begin to form by the neural tube at around the seventh week of pregnancy.
By the tenth week of pregnancy, the first layer of the cerebral cortex is forming (overall there will be six layers), and some people have guessed that at the peak of neuron production 250,000 are created each minute (Cook & Cook 2005). Amazingly, after around 20 weeks of causing havoc in your belly, your baby’s cerebral cortex has somewhere in the region of 80 billion or so neurons which is just about all any of us ever have in there!!
From here, the brain development shifts to forming connections amongst the numerous neurons, and by the time the ever impending birth comes around, your babys brain pretty much resembles the outward appearance of an adults although they still have much growing to do.
Synaptic Pruning
The strange thing is, that in the period from early childhood and those ever dreaded teenage years, a process of synaptic pruning takes place and synapses are then lost, rather than gained. What this basically means is that the synapses your child uses (those that are activated by either brain activity or environmental input) are kept, and those that aren’t used are dropped which in a sense streamlines the brain. Some researchers have even suggested that during childhood 100,000 synapses can be lost every second (Cook & Cook 2005).This process of synaptic pruning is essential for a child’s brain development. It allows the brain to become more efficient and specialized, allowing for better learning and problem-solving abilities.
But what exactly triggers this pruning process? Studies have shown that experiences and interactions play a crucial role in determining which synapses are kept and which are lost. Positive experiences, such as engaging in stimulating activities or having nurturing relationships, can help strengthen important connections in the brain. On the other hand, negative experiences, like exposure to trauma or neglect, can lead to weaker connections being pruned.
As parents, it’s important to understand the impact we have on our child’s brain development. The way we interact with them and provide them with opportunities for learning and growth can shape their brains in a significant way. This is why it’s crucial to create a loving and supportive environment for our children, filled with positive experiences and interactions.
Play and Learning
One of the best ways to promote healthy brain development in children is through play. Play allows children to explore their surroundings, use their imagination, and problem-solve. When children engage in imaginative play, they are not only having fun but also strengthening important connections in their brain.
In addition to play, providing children with stimulating activities can also contribute to their brain development. These activities could include reading together, doing puzzles or crafts, or even just talking and asking open-ended questions. By engaging in these activities with our children, we are helping them build new connections and strengthen existing ones.
Again, information sourced mostly from ‘Child Development, Cook & Cook 2005 edition