10 Brainy Facts About Your Baby

People used to think that babies' brains were miniature versions of adult brains. However, truths: babies' brains are very different from adults' brains.

It is affected by pre-birth experiences.

Pregnant mothers need to eat healthily. Drinking alcohol, taking drugs, and not eating the right types of food may slow down the baby's developing brain.

It changes after birth.

When a baby is born, her* brain has not finished growing. Although a baby is born with billions of brain cells, only come of these cells have made connections with other cells at birth. These connections help to regulate basic functions needed to survive; for example, the heartbeat and breathing. After birth, the brain cells continue to grow making other connections that shape her thinking, feelings and behaviour and this continues till she reaches per-adolescence.

It is affected by what happens in a baby's life.

The brain makes connections based on what the baby experiences and this guides development. For example, a child who hears sounds made by adults who talk and read will make connections related to oral language. A child who learns to play baseball will make certain connections which will not be developed in a child who does not play the game.

Bigger heads do not mean smarter babies

A bigger head does not mean a bigger brain. Furthermore, brain size does not automatically mean greater intelligence.

Babies' brains are more active than adult's brains.

At infancy stage, a baby's brain is twice as active as an adult's. By the time a child leaves infancy, her brain cells are all connected. However over the next few years, some of these connections change. The connections that the child uses the most get stronger. The connections that are not used much will die.

Babies' brains have growth 'spurts'.

There are "prime times" when the brain learns things best. Babies and young children learn languages more easily than adults do because their brains are ready to learn language.

Life-long learning takes place.

Although there are "prime times" for learning, people can still learn new things when they get older even though learning might be harder then. For example, adults can learn a new language but they will do so more slowly than their children.

Learning starts before a child goes to school.

The brain connection needed for learning start forming even before a baby is born. A child who receives warm, loving care in the early years is more ready to learn because of the strong bond formed with her caregiver. A safe and secure environment provided by caregivers who respond sensitively to a child encourages positive brain development. Negative experiences, like abuse, can slow down brain development, thus making learning harder.

Enrichment is good for all children.

All babies and children need to try new things which help their brain cells make new connections. Children learn by doing. Thus, caregivers should let babies explore the world in a safe environment. Give a baby new things to do. Help her when she tries something new. Encourage her to be creative.

Children do NOT need expensive toys to get smarter.

What children really need most are loving care and new things to do. These do not have to cost money. Talk and sing to your baby. Go on walks and point out things to her. Visit the library and pick out a new book. Showing your baby new things helps her brain to grow. Be careful not to overdo it. Expensive toys and videos will not make your baby smarter. Too many new things all at once will not help her brain. She needs time to absorb and practice what she has learned.


*( Dear readers, for the sake of convenience, easy reference and clarity, Baby is referred to as 'she' and 'her' throughout this article. All ideas in this article apply equally to boys as to girls.)