More about the brain and development
How the brain develops The brain consists of nerve cells called neurons. Neurons arise in the prenatal phase before birth and are differentiated by chemical signals in order to specialize. The development process of neurons begins with the primitive parts of the brain and moves on to the more advanced parts after birth. The brainstem...
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Growth through experience
The brain of a newborn grows by experience. Most brain growth in the cerebral cortex and limbic system – brain regions involved in abstract thought, language and emotional control – occurs after birth. One aspect of growth is the activity of nerve pathways from the sensory organs to the brain. The more sensory stimuli that...
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More about the senses
Visual Perception Vision development At first, babies observe the world through a misty haze. Within 5 days they start perceiving light, blink their eyes at bright light and follow moving lights with their eyes. Within a week or two, a newborn distinguishes its primary carer (mother) from others. Excessive exposure to light and bright colours...
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