About Human Brain

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Things You Didn't Know About Human Brain
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4 Mar 2009, 0800 hrs IST

At birth, all of your baby’s organs – the heart, lungs, kidneys are fully developed, but smaller than an adult’s organs, except one - the brain. Things you didn't know about human brain (Getty images)


Between the sixth week and fifth month of pregnancy, your baby’s brain grows about 100 billion cells! Some of these brain cells are connected at birth, but most are not. During the first five years of life (and afterwards at a slower rate), your child’s brain is hard at work connecting these brain cells.

More than three quarters of it is made of water. Scientists tell us that there are times when certain parts of the brain can learn new information more easily than at other times. They call these times windows of opportunity. Some of these windows open and then close during the first few years of life.

Some ways that your child moves can actually improve her learning! When your baby crawls, your toddler plays patty-cake, or your preschooler dances with scarves, both sides of the brain are put to work. This is important because both sides of the brain are used in many learning skills. So movement can help prepare your child to learn.

Never shake your baby! Shaking may cause your baby’s brain to swell, bleed, or bruise. Also, don’t throw your baby into the air, even though you are just playing. Hurting your baby’s brain by shaking or throwing may cause learning disabilities, blindness, seizures, mental retardation and even death.

Positive emotions enhance memory. Diet activates memory. Aromas and colours also stimulate mental alertness and memory.

Our bodies release harmful chemicals under stress, these chemicals are not good for the brain. The brain needs to be properly hydrated in order to be alert.

Small muscle exercise stimulates brain growth. No wonder children are fidgety, constantly moving their fingers and toes! The more multi sensory the activity, the more likely the child is to process the learning activity.

Sleep time is important for brain development, as the brain organises all material, otherwise can lead to confusion and loss of what is learnt.

Breast-feeding your baby for the first twelve months of life can boost her IQ by up to 8 points. If you can't breast-feed or have to stop early, be sure to use a commercial infant formula that is fortified with brain-boosting nutrients.

Feed your toddler an optimal diet to enhance brain growth. Even a flight deficiency in a key vitamin, mineral, or nutrient (such as iron, iodine) during the time when the brain is going through its spectacular growth spurt can result in a lower IQ, poor test scores, depression, and even teen drug abuse down the road.

If a child is stressed out, unhappy, under-stimulated poorly nourished, or exposed to brain toxins in the environment, important neural connections will die, his brain will be less efficient and simply stated, he will not be as smart.

(Inputs from Swati Popat Vats; Director Podar Jumbo Kids and Podar Education Network, Mumbai)
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