When babies are born, their brain, although it is formed, is still a bit immature, and it develops progressively thanks to the formation of new connections between neurons (synapses), as they interact with their environment, observe, explore, learn and ultimately experience their new world.
Approximately, during early brain development, up to 1 million new connections between neurons are formed (and strengthened) . Unused connections are removed to make the brain more efficient.
But, what does it mean that these connections are becoming more and more (and more efficient)? In which the child improves his understanding of the world and acquires new skills. Learn more about the development of the baby’s brain during the first 12 months of life .
The brain is part of the central nervous system
The nervous system is the set of neurons that, organized in specific tissues and organs, allow us to relate to the outside (and to our interior) and coordinate all imaginable mechanical and emotional responses .
This is made up of two systems: the central nervous system (made up of the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (made up of nerves).
When babies are born, their nervous system, and specifically their brain, is less developed than in other primates. However, during the first years of life it evolves rapidly.
Synapse creation begins
Thus, when children are born, most of their neurons are not yet connected to each other. But thanks to the response that the child will give to the stimuli of the environment, their neurons will connect with each other to form synapses .
The synapse is the basic mechanism by which neurons communicate with each other, allowing the person to think, move, speak, interact with the environment, etc. But before talking about those synapses, let’s go to the origin of everything: birth.
The baby’s brain at birth
When a baby is born, according to a 2009 study by Azevedo and colleagues, the brain has between 86 billion and 100 billion neurons, and at least as many glial cells . These are almost all the neurons that the entire human brain will have.
Thus, at birth we know that the baby already has almost all the neurons it will need for the rest of its life, despite the fact that its brain is only 25% the size of an adult brain (at three years of age, its brain will be approximately 80% the size of an adult brain).
This is due, according to Gauvain and Cole, to the fact that the baby’s neurons are connected by only about 50 billion neural connections, called synapses, while an adult has about 500 billion of them.
1. Function of neurons
Neurons are responsible for transmitting nerve information, which allows us to use basic and higher cognitive functions.
These are organized in networks, and each one has specific functions, distributed in different areas of the brain.
2. Glial cell function
In the case of glial cells, or neuroglia, these are cells of the nervous tissue that act in auxiliary functions, complementing the somatic cells, which are the main ones responsible for nervous function.
Basically, its function is to provide nourishment and protection to the neurons so that they function properly.
3. Fontanelles of the brain
On the other hand, when the baby is born, there are some “weak points” called fontanelles in his head; these points exist because your skull is not yet fully fused at birth.
This serves the dual purpose of helping the head fit through the birth canal and to encourage the brain to grow rapidly during early childhood.
First months: learning explosion
In the early years the architecture of the brain is formed . Thus, early in the baby’s life, they will begin to form synapses at a faster rate than at any other time in life.
This is because your brain is more plastic than ever (which also makes it easier for you to learn faster). What’s happening in your brain is that you’re making far more synapses than are needed, and not all of them will make it to adulthood.
But precisely this is what allows young children to learn things faster than adults.
New connections between neurons
As we said, the baby is born and new connections are formed between its neurons. But how are synapses formed, and how are more and more neural networks being created in your brain? Thanks to the learning and the different experiences.
In this way, as the child makes new discoveries, connections are formed, others become stronger, others weaken, and some disappear.
The effectiveness of these synapses is influenced by the information your brain receives from the environment. And this ability of the brain to adapt in response to its environment is essential for learning.
Critical Periods for Learning
It is also important to know the critical periods of learning at this early stage.
So, because the baby is rapidly creating and pruning synapses , this is a critical period for learning certain things. This means that it is “the best time” for him to learn (for example, to speak, a language, etc.), because his brain is like a sponge (it is very prepared for it, thanks to its flexibility).
This flexibility is lost over the years. On the other hand, it is also true that without practice, the skills learned will weaken until they disappear (which is why early and lifelong stimulation is so important).
Brain activity in the first year
What brain areas are more activated during the first months? Let’s see it:
First month
In the newborn baby , the area of greatest brain activity is found in the sensory and motor cortex . The stimuli are received mainly through the skin, being important the physical contact of the parents towards the baby.
second and third month
Between the second and third month , stimuli related to vision and hearing begin to gain importance. Consequently, correct stimulation in these areas becomes necessary.
Eight months
At eight months , frontal lobe activation markedly increases .
Specifically, the areas that are responsible for the regulation of emotions and the elaboration of thought with a specific purpose are activated above all.
12 months
At 12 months, this activation in the brain occurs simultaneously in various parts of it , progressively reaching adult values.
The sense of vision during the first year: the visual cortex
On the other hand, at the level of structures, it is important to know how some of the most important ones evolve, such as the visual cortex.
Babies who are just born cannot see very well. Their vision is blurred and they can only recognize certain colors.
During the first six months, the cells in your brain will specialize to form the visual cortex , the neurons will lengthen, and the axons will become myelinated (this means the axons will be covered with myelin, a substance that protects them and speeds up communication between them). neurons).
Little by little, thanks to this and the physical improvement in his eyes, the baby will be able to see things more clearly (around three months).
And at six months, the rapid improvement allows the child to perceive the depth of things and to be able to focus better, so that at that age they can already see almost as well as an adult.
Cerebellum during the first 12 months
There is also another fundamental structure, the cerebellum. During the first 12 months of life, the baby’s cerebellum triples in size . This structure has the main function of integrating the sensory and motor pathways (that is, it regulates motor coordination, cognitive processes, emotions…).
This increase in the size of the cerebellum will allow the baby a rapid development of his motor skills, and you will see how your child can turn around, crawl and even take his first steps.
Myelination: the transmission of information from the brain
The myelination of nerve cells is the process by which the axons (a part of the neuron) are covered by myelin, allowing information between neurons to be faster and more efficient.
This means that the baby’s brain will be able to receive and transmit messages faster and process multiple signals more effectively.
When the baby is born, this myelination is incomplete in many parts of the brain, but it develops rapidly during the first 12 months.
This would explain why older children have an easier time processing and reacting to environmental stimuli compared to young babies.
How to stimulate your baby’s brain development?
As fathers and mothers, we can stimulate the brain development of our little one. We can do it in multiple ways. Some ideas to start:
- Telling him stories, favoring his active listening and attention.
- Stimulating their creativity, through drawing, painting…
- Singing together.
- Interacting with them in multiple ways.
- Following a proper and healthy diet.
- Explaining what you are doing whenever you can.
- Playing and exercising your mind; for example, with the peek-a-boo game, hide-and-seek.
- Creating a warm and loving environment that helps you feel loved and develop a secure attachment.
Physical activity also enhances this brain development
Although the baby is still small, it is also important that we stimulate his body, his movement and his motor skills, because this has a direct and positive impact on his brain.
In fact, studies suggest that exercise in early childhood can improve cognitive function, and even contribute to a larger hippocampus (a brain structure related to memory).
You can exercise with your baby from a young age, with activities such as:
- Tummy Time: Also helps you build muscle strength in your stomach and neck muscles and improve head control.
- Involving them in active game activities adapted to their age.
Much love and shared time!
In short, we encourage you to take advantage of everyday moments to stimulate your baby’s development , whether in moments of play or in daily tasks, such as bathing or eating.
And above all, give him all the love you can! Build a secure attachment with your creature, because all this will favor its brain and make it grow optimally.
Photos | Cover (Pexels)
