Did you know the human brain is known as the "use it, or loose it" organ?  It's true. Studies have shown that infants who are not provided with an active, stimulating environment do not display proper brain growth.

  All healthy human brains consist of two hemispheres. The left side focuses on detail, and the right side focuses on the broader aspects of life. Most men are dominated by their left brain. Most  women are dominated by their right brain.  The brain also has four lobes: occipital, temporal, parietal, and frontal.  Surprisingly, only the temporal lobe is functional in utero.   This section of the brain allows fetuses to hear, and recognize voices.  It also controls posture, and balance as we develop.  Our prefrontal cortex, which controls our judgment,  planning, and consequence awareness, does not fully develop until nearly age 18, sometimes longer depending on the individual.  Your brain is made up of 100 million neurons, or brain cells at birth. This is all the neurons you will ever get, and they do not replenish!  These nerve cells communicate with each other so that your brain can send signals to your body parts.

   It is important to understand that all brains are uniquely different,  this is the reason that all people perceive things differently in life.  For instance, I may observe  a zebra and see white with black stripes.  Someone else may see black with white stripes.  Your life experiences will determine your brain development, and how you perceive the world around you.  Children who experience ongoing stress, in or out of the womb, will eventually develop learning disabilities 100% of the time. 

  Children's brains grow very quickly between ages birth to five years old. This is a crucial learning time for children.  As adults, and caregivers we can influence children's growth by giving them a sense of consistency, safety.  Also by caring, talking, reading to them, and encouraging safe exploration, and play. What a child learns in the first five years can shape their characteristics, personalities,  and intelligence for life!