Post on 11-May-2015
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Jonathan Pensotes
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON
THEDEVELOPMENT OF
THE BRAIN
What Do We Know AboutBrain Development?
FACTS
MYTHS
Most of the brain's cells are formed before birth, but
most of the connections among
cells are made during infancy and early
childhood.
FACT
At birth the brain is fully
developed, just like one's heart
or stomach.
MYTH
Talking to a baby is not important because he or
she can't understand what you are saying.
MYTH
The brain's development
depends entirely on the genes with
which you are born.
MYTH
Early experience and interaction
with the environment are most critical in a
child's brain development.
FACT
Talking to young children establishes
foundations for learning language
during early critical periods when
learning is easiest for a child.
FACT
What children need most is loving care and new experiences, not special attention or costly toys. Talking, singing, playing and
reading are some of the key activities that build
a child's brain.
FACT
Children need special help and
specific educational toys to develop
their brainpower.
FACTA toddler's brain
is less active than the brain of a
college student.
MYTHA 3-year-old
toddler's brain is twice as active as an adult's brain
FACT
AT BIRTH AT 7 YEARS
AT 15 YEARS
FORMATION OF NEURAL CONNECTIONS
LOBES
OFTHE
BRAIN
CRITICAL PERIODS IN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Visual and Auditory development
Language development
Physical and Motor development Emotional and Social development
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Life experiences
Increased stimulation
FACTORS AFFECTINGDEVELOPMENT
Maternal Nutrition
Child Nutrition
Early Sensory Stimulation
NUTRITION
DIET
FIVEFOOD
GROUPS
The mother supplies all the nutrients to inborn fetus through the food intake so that she should take care of her diet for her sake and that of the fetus.
Maternal Nutrition
Child NutritionAdequate nutrition contributes to a continuous brain growth, rapid skeletal, and muscular development. It is not the amount of food that children eat but what they eat that contributes to healthy living.
Early Sensory StimulationChildren under 6 years of age tend to be farsighted, because there eyes have not matured and are shaped differently from those adults
FACTORSAFFECTING GROWTH
Genetic History
NutritionMedical
Conditions Exercise
Sleep Emotional Well-Being
GEN
ETIC
HIS
TO
RY “The child’s genetic history
influences to a large extent of his growth. As a matter of fact, it is number one in the list. By just looking at the parent’s height, the rate of growth of the child can more or less be predicted”LYNNE LEVITSKY, M.D.
CHIEF (Pediatric Endocrine Unit)
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston
NU
TR
ITIO
N
JO ANNE HATTNER, R.D.Pediatric Specialist
American Dietetic Association
“Without a good diet, kids won’t grow normally”
MED
ICA
L
CO
ND
ITIO
NS
Children born with or develop serious medical conditions can have stunted growth if not treated. Some of these are gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease; food allergies; thyroid problems; hormone deficiency; heart, kidney, or liver ailments, and certain chromosomal abnormalities
EX
ER
CIS
E
Regular physical activity promotes growth by
strengthening bones and muscles.
SLEEP
About 70-80% of growth hormone is secreted during sleep. – Paul Saenger
EM
OTIO
NA
L W
ELL-
BEIN
G
Children must be nurtured with love, patience, & understanding. They need
a supportive family environment.
Jonathan Pensotes
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON
THEDEVELOPMENT OF
THE BRAIN