Brain development

Humans have over 100 billion brain cells. Each one has dendrites, filament-like extensions that are like branches growing out from a tree. Those dendrites receive and send out impulses, electro-chemical messages, to other brain cells. Those impulses travel to other neurons along pathways called synapses.

This delicate, monumental system we call the brain has 500 trillion synapses — which start to grow soon after conception, Langley told the group.

In the brain of a fetus, 250,00 neurons, or brain cells, are born every minute. By the 26th week of pregnancy, nearly all the neurons are formed, migrating into place and growing connections.

To learn more about brain development in babies and children and learning activities for young children, Kristine Langley of Lower Columbia Heas Start suggests the following websites:
www.bornlearning.org
www.zerotothree.org
www.brainnet.wa.org
www.earlylearningofwa.com
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/dev.ht

http://tdn.com/lifestyles/article_f0dddee6-6a97-11e0-9611-001cc4c002e0.html