Human Brain Development

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Children begin learning before they are even born. Some people may wonder how this is possible if the child hasn’t even taken its first breath yet, but it is true. Brain development begins in week four of their first trimester in the womb. This is important because the development helps a child learn and grow, effecting their future learning, education, and social skills. Brain development begins right in the womb and continues to flourish after birth. A child’s brain develops through neurons and their connections by synapses. Neurons communicate at synapses through the use of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals sent between neurons as well as the muscles and organs they work with. They attach to receptors on receiving cells, translating into messages. Synapses, the connections in the mind between nerve cells, must be reinforced in order for them to remain active. For example, if a parent incorporates music into a child’s life, those connections will be strong, allowing the child to be musically talented, and more likely able to switch from instrument to instrument. On the other hand, if a parent does not reinforce musical skills on a child, they may not be able to ever learn how to play an instrument in the future. Furthermore, brain development is influenced by nutrition, speech, environment, nurture or neglect, and early childhood programs, all occurring in two periods of life. A child’s brain development is influenced by events while in the womb and after birth. Influences of the mother have an effect upon a child’s brain development while in the womb. Two of these influences are the nutrition she eats, and her speech. A fetus goes through three trimesters before it is born. In the first trimester there are t... ... middle of paper ... ...Carmo. "Effects Of Maternal Malnutrition And Postnatal Nutritional Rehabilitation On Brain Fatty Acids, Learning, And Memory." Nutrition Reviews 69.3 (2011): 132-144. MEDLINE. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Luby, J., et al. "The Effects of Poverty on Childhood Brain Development." Mediating Effect of Caregiving and Stressful Life Events: n. pag. Abstract. MEDLINE. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. . Morrison, George S. Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education. 7th ed. Texas: University of North Texas, 2008. Print. Painter, Kirstin, and Maria Scannapieco. "Child Maltreatment: The Neurobiological Aspects Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." Journal Of Evidence-Based Social Work 10.4 (2013): 276-284. CINAHL. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.

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