What Are They Thinking?

Understanding Your Child’s

Brain Development

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SYNAPSES:SYNAPSES:Brain Cells Are Making Brain Cells Are Making

Connections!Connections!• Synapses(connections) are Synapses(connections) are created in the brain while created in the brain while the fetus is still in the the fetus is still in the womb.womb.

• In the last months of In the last months of pregnancy, the fetus is pregnancy, the fetus is able to hear external sounds and able to hear external sounds and

see light. He feels when his see light. He feels when his mother rubs her expanded belly. mother rubs her expanded belly. 2

Your Own Brain…is a three pound universe!

• You have at least 100 billion nerve You have at least 100 billion nerve cells (neurons) in your brain.cells (neurons) in your brain.

• Each of the neurons makes between Each of the neurons makes between 5,000 and 50,000 connections with 5,000 and 50,000 connections with other neurons.other neurons.

• If you multiply 100 billion neurons If you multiply 100 billion neurons times 10,000 contacts, you end up times 10,000 contacts, you end up with how many connections?with how many connections?

1 Quadrillion!3

Learning & Our BrainsThe more senses you use the more you remember. Think about things you remember through the

senses.

Sensory Sensory MemoryMemory

Short Short TermTerm

MemoryMemory

Long Term Long Term MemoryMemory

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Synapses Gone Wild!In the early years, children’s brains form twice as

many synapses (connections) as they will eventually need. If used in a child’s day to day life, they’re

reinforced and become part of the brain’s permanent circuitry. If not, they are eliminated .Rethinking the Brain:New Insights into

Early Development by Rima Shore (NY: Families and Work Institution: Drawing by H.T. Chugani

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The Brain of a One Year Old looks more like an Adult’s than a

Newborn! Black = Activity

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• Size of a large Grapefruit or CantaloupeSize of a large Grapefruit or Cantaloupe

• Shaped like the meat of a walnutShaped like the meat of a walnut

• Grayish white/beige colorGrayish white/beige color

• Can be cut with a Butter KnifeCan be cut with a Butter Knife

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The depth of what children learn is astounding…

• By 2 ½ children have sense of By 2 ½ children have sense of place and relationship place and relationship

PBS PBS Kermit Loves a Bucket

• By 9 months children can By 9 months children can discriminate between kind and discriminate between kind and unkind behavior unkind behavior

PBS PBS Social Networks and the Spark

• By one day a child’s brain can By one day a child’s brain can differentiate between b and pdifferentiate between b and p PBS PBS Children and the Brain (4(4thth one down) one down)

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Popcorn ActivityPopcorn Activity

1. One person “POPS” with a “Did You Know” Statement and reads it aloud

2. Sit down when finished3. Then another person “POPS” up4. Continue until all statements are read

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““M-Space” M-Space” Ability to hold certain number of Ability to hold certain number of

facts in short term memory…facts in short term memory…

• The capacity of short-term memory The capacity of short-term memory appears to develop with age. The number appears to develop with age. The number of spaces increases by one unit every other of spaces increases by one unit every other year beginning at age three. Each block is year beginning at age three. Each block is a piece of informationa piece of information..

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Juan Pascual-Leon, 1970

Memory Activity

How much information can you remember?

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Myth & Facts ActivitySeven Myths of Learning

“Cookie Mingle”1.1. Pair up with a partnerPair up with a partner2.2. Mingle about a Myth and a Fact Mingle about a Myth and a Fact 3.3. When bell rings, change partnersWhen bell rings, change partners

BrainyTips for a richer literacy environment…

• Books, music, toys developmental level

• Form secure attachments

• Include your child in conversations

• Read, read and read some more with your child.

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Head, Shoulders, Knees and ToesSing

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toesHead, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toesEyes and ears and mouth and noseHead, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes

Say between verses….Touch your eyes, touch your ears, touch your mouth, touch your nosetouch your knees, touch your toes - Great job!

Sing again Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toesHead, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toesEyes and ears and mouth and noseHead, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes