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Chapter 8
Section 2
The Developing Brain
Structure of the Brain:
Get a picture of the brain and label all the parts of the brain.
Describe what each part of the brain controls and what is that parts function.
How do babies learn about the world?
What does the cortex do?
How the brain works:
Get a picture of the neurons at work label each section and explain what each section
does.
Why is it important that neurons develop many links?
How many neurons is a baby born with?
What strengthens the connection between an axon and a dendrite?
Building the Brain:
Get 2 pictures: The first one of a newborn networks in the brain.
The second one of the networks of a 2 year old brain.
How the brain becomes organized:
What kind of experiences do young children need to learn?
What kind of activities ate best to involve children in?
Mabel and Ian wanted their daughter Brianna to learn to read early so they began using
flash cards with her when she was two years old. They found that Brianna's skills
developed about the same time as a neighbor child, whose parents did not use flashcards.
Explain why Brianna's reading skills developed as they did.
Speeding the brain's work:
What kind of a coating do axons have?
Why is this coating important?
What is myelin?
Why is it important?
Why is the rate at which axons receive the myelin coating important?
Rules to build a brain by:
1. Keep it simple and natural.
2. Match experiences to the child's mental capacities.
3. Remember that practice makes perfect.
4. Make sure the child is actively involves.
5. Provide variety, but avoid overloading the child.
6. Avoid pushing the child.
After having read the 6 rules to build a brain by, discuss the pro's and con's about high
quality daycare verses daycares that are just babysitters.
Jamal often talks to his six-month-old daughter. He makes eye contact and uses various
expressions to communicate to her. Explain how Jamal is helping his daughter's brain
development.
Traumatic Brain Injuries:
Research a brain injury and its effects.
After your research you may present your findings in one of the following ways:
1. Power Point Presentation
2. Research paper (2 pages)
3. Pamphlet
4. Poster