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- 1. BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH ECD110 Early Childhood Growth and Development
- 2. Half of allhuman genes are involved in building the brain by providing the codes for its basic structures and functions. Brain Development
- 3. Early Brain Development Formationand Migration of Neurons • The brain is built of cells called neurons • Neurons are the communication system of the brain • A neuron’s job is to make connections with other neurons, constantly exchanging information • A baby is born with 100 billion neurons
- 4. Early Brain Development Formationand Migration of Neurons • Each neuron has an axon – a transmitter • The axon is the long part of the neuron • Axons send messages to other neurons
- 5. Early Brain Development Formationand Migration of Neurons • Each neuron also has dendrites • Dendrites are extensions that branch out • Dendrites receive messages
- 6. Early Brain Development Formationand Migration of Neurons • Information is transmitted through electrical impulses • These impulses travel down the length of a neuron • The impulse causes the neuron to produce a chemical response
- 7. Early Experiences and BrainDevelopment • Babies respond to sensory information in the womb and create synaptic connections • By 1 year brain is 70% of adult size, by 3 years – 90% • Synapses become strong through repeated exposure to meaningful experiences
- 8. Early Brain Development Formationand Migration of Neurons • The chemical messenger then transmits the info from one neuron to the next through small gaps between the cells, called synapses • Synaptogenesis is the creation of new neural connections or synapses
- 9. The Importance ofMyelination • Myelination consists of smooth layers of fatty proteins that sheath the neuron • Electrical impulses travel 3x faster • During prenatal development myelination occurs along the spinal cord The most dramatic myelination occurs before 2 years of age
- 10. Early Brain Development •During early development, the brain generates about 2 to 3 times more neurons and connection than are needed to survive and function
- 11. Early Brain Development Pruning •Little used neural connections are eliminated • These connections are ones that are not reinforced by the child’s environment • Early experiences play a crucial role • Pruning occurs throughout early childhood and into adolescence Due to genetics or lack of reinforcement (use it or lose it) K e e p T o s s Reinforcement
- 12. Brain Development –Cerebral Cortex • Left Hemisphere • Language processing • Develops rapidly around the age of 2 • Right Hemisphere • Spatial relationship • Rapid development around the age of 4 or 5 • This is the largest part of the brain • Controls higher thought process • Last part of the brain to finish growing • Easily influenced by the environment Hi! Hey!
- 13. Brain Development –Cerebral Cortex • Left Hemisphere • Logic • Reason (facts) • Objective • Verbal • Self-oriented • Categorical • Detail focused • Memory • Purposefulness • Words of Songs • Mathematics • Forms strategy • Order • Safe • Acknowledges • Right Hemisphere • Intuition • Emotions • Subjective • Visual • Group-oriented • Relational • Whole picture focused • Creative • Playfulness • Tune of Songs • Arts (motor skill) • Forms possibilities • Imagination • Risk taking • Appreciates
- 14. Infant Brain Development •By the time a baby is born, the brain controls important survival functions… • Breathing • Swallowing • Sucking • Heartbeat • Sensory areas develop early • Smell • Taste • Touch • Sight • Hearing
- 15. Infant Brain Development BrainPlasticity • Infant brains are more flexible than adults • Allows the brain to be fine-tuned • Helps the brain adjust to different situations • Helps the brain recover from serious harm
- 16. Brain Development Environmental Effects •Environment shapes the way the brain forms • Experiences are the chief architect of the brain • Structure of the brain influences children’s interpretation of information
- 17. Brain Development Environmental Effects EXPERIENCE- EXPECTANT • Development will not happen unless a particular experience occurs during this critical period EXPERIENCE - DEPENDENT • Environmental inputs actively contribute to brain structure • Experiences are not highly typical • Can be positive or negative Two types of environmental influences
- 18. Brain Development Environmental Effects •Negative environmental effects increase risk for problems in brain development • especially during ‘experience – expectant’ processes • Disruptions during the brain’s growth spurt can cause • Permanent reduction in brain size • Reduction in the number of neurons • Reduced myelination of cells • Decreased numbers of synaptic connections
- 19. Stress and BrainDevelopment • Chronic stress changes the brain structure • Diminishes attention, impulse control, fine motor control, sleep • Constant state of hyperarousal • Extreme deprivation = smaller brains
- 20. Stress and BrainDevelopment • Increased production of hormones: adrenaline, cortisol, and norepinephrine • When these hormones are excessively high for long periods of time, they become toxic to the brain • Every event is perceived as a life-or-death situation • Even neutral situations are perceived as threatening
- 21. Toxic Stress “The resultmay be a child who has great difficulty functioning when presented with the world of kindness, nurturing, and stimulation. It is an unfamiliar world to him; his brain has not developed the pathways and memories to adapt to this new world” (CWIG, 2001).
Editor's Notes
- #14 These are skills that continue to develops as the child grows older
- #18 Experience – Expectant – example: overproduction of synapses happen when infants are handled, talked to, and looked at – common experiences for most infants. Not being handled, held, talked to would be unusual and would contribute to an atypical brain dev. Experience-Dependent - Positive: exposed to many varied experiences, zoos, museums, libraries, plays. Becomes a very “enriched” environment Negative – a child is abused they develop a different “wiring” to read emotions, expect the worst when others are angry, or have a conditioned response
- #19 Damage or disruptions of brain development during the early years can increase the likelihood of problems later in life, such as: difficulties in school, inability to handle stress, poor motor or sensory functions ** prenatal through the 3years old are the most critical for brain development