DEVELOPMENT
, EARLY BRAIN
DEVELOPMENT
Development
, 1. To describe our brain development, from
simple neural structures in the womb, of
brain stems, thalamus, cerebellum and
L ES S O N
OB J EC TI VE S
cortex
2. To discuss the role of nature and nurture
on our brain development
, EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
• Brain development begins during the 3rd week of pregnancy.
• The foetal brain and spine begin as a neural tube. During the 4th week of pregnancy, the neural tube begins to divide
into a spinal cord, forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
• During the 6th week of pregnancy, the forebrain divides to form the cortex (the outer covering of the brain where
mental processing takes place) and the thalamus (responsible for sensory processing and sending/receiving sensory
messages to/from other parts of our brain).
• By the 15th week of pregnancy, the cerebellum and part of the brain stem has formed from the hindbrain. The
midbrain also develops into part of the brain stem.
• The cerebellum coordinates our movement and balance, as well as having a role in language and emotion. The brain
stem controls our basic autonomic functions such as breathing and digestion. The brain is fully formed by the 6th
month of pregnancy, although it has not reached its full size yet. At birth, a baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of
the average adult brain. It doubles in size in the first year and keeps growing to about 80% of adult size by age 3.
• Research suggests that brain function continues to develop long after birth. It may not be fully developed until a
person reaches their mid-twenties or even thirties.
, EARLY BRAIN
DEVELOPMENT
Development
, 1. To describe our brain development, from
simple neural structures in the womb, of
brain stems, thalamus, cerebellum and
L ES S O N
OB J EC TI VE S
cortex
2. To discuss the role of nature and nurture
on our brain development
, EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
• Brain development begins during the 3rd week of pregnancy.
• The foetal brain and spine begin as a neural tube. During the 4th week of pregnancy, the neural tube begins to divide
into a spinal cord, forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
• During the 6th week of pregnancy, the forebrain divides to form the cortex (the outer covering of the brain where
mental processing takes place) and the thalamus (responsible for sensory processing and sending/receiving sensory
messages to/from other parts of our brain).
• By the 15th week of pregnancy, the cerebellum and part of the brain stem has formed from the hindbrain. The
midbrain also develops into part of the brain stem.
• The cerebellum coordinates our movement and balance, as well as having a role in language and emotion. The brain
stem controls our basic autonomic functions such as breathing and digestion. The brain is fully formed by the 6th
month of pregnancy, although it has not reached its full size yet. At birth, a baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of
the average adult brain. It doubles in size in the first year and keeps growing to about 80% of adult size by age 3.
• Research suggests that brain function continues to develop long after birth. It may not be fully developed until a
person reaches their mid-twenties or even thirties.
