A baby's mind is constantly developing.
A baby is born with a brain that contains 100 billion neurons and weighs 2/3 to ¾ of a pound. By the end of the fourth year, a child's brain will have reached 80 percent of its adult size of 2.6 to 3.3 pounds. In those first four years of life, a baby's brain is making synapse connections based on the world around them. Early experiences impact the way a baby's brain makes these connections and influence how their brain is "wired."
Neurons and Synapses
Neurons are the information processors of the brain. The function of a neuron is to receive information, process the information received and send out information. The connections between neurons are formed by synapses. Information sent from one neuron to another flows through the synapses connecting them. Most of the connections our brain makes happen during infancy. A baby's brain has made around 1,000 trillion connections by the age of three. That is twice the number of connections an adult brain has.
Reflexes
The most important part of the baby's mind in infancy is the brain stem. The brain stem is the part of the brain that controls reflexes like crying and suckling, and is also responsible for regulating breath, heart rate, and REM sleep. This part of the brain is the most developed in newborns and is essential to their survival. The brain stem is also responsible for emotions like anxiety and soothing.
Senses and Skill Development
There are key times for development of different aspects of a child's senses and skills. Visual and hearing development occurs from birth to 4 or 5 years of age. Language develops from birth through 10 years of age. Though children are learning language throughout this entire time, the primary time of language development occurs within the first few years of life. Motor skills develop from birth until a child is 12. Emotional and social skills develop from birth until 12 years of age. Attachment is the most crucial of emotional skills, and it develops first, from birth to 18 months of age.
Experience and Interaction
It was long believed by scientists that brain development was determined by a predetermined biological time-line. Advancements in brain imaging have since proven that a baby's mind develops after birth based on experiences. A baby needs experiences to be able to form the synapse connections between neurons. For example, a baby needs to experience seeing different colors and shapes from different distances for the brain to learn see. This is why parental interaction with a baby is crucial to their development. You can help foster your baby's progress by making sure to interact with them in interesting and varied ways every day.
Other Influences on Mind Development
Other influences on a baby's mind development include a healthy diet, positive reinforcement, and affection. Make sure that your provide your child with nutritious food throughout their early lives and beyond; give praise and attention to your baby daily, especially when they develop a new skill; and consistently show your baby physical affection and nurturing.
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