Brain Builder

From conception, the brain is rapidly making connections. At birth, a baby has 50 trillion connections. By age three, a child has 100 trillion.

How does the brain know which connections to make? A baby's early experiences determine which brain cell connections will be made.

When a connection is made repeatedly in the early years, it becomes permanent. Connections not used often are not likely to survive. Therefore, a baby that is rarely spoken or read to may have difficulty with language development. Likewise, a child who is rarely played with may have difficulty developing social skills.

Knowledge of brain development gives parents and caregivers the power to ensure healthy brain development.

Brain scans of two children

Compare the two brain scans above. The one on the left belongs to a child who has been cared for, loved and stimulated. The brain scan on the right belongs to a child who has been neglected and offered no stimulation. Notice the differences. Areas of the neglected child's brain fail to form altogether.

Source: The Brain scan comparison was adapted from the Special Edition of Newsweek, Spring/Summer 1997.