The Developing Brain: How Neuroscience Explains Childhood Learning and Behavior
Ever notice how kids seem to absorb everything around them like tiny information sponges? The first moment they’re figuring out how to say “cat” and the next they’re asking why the sky is blue or why fish don’t fly. It’s all thanks to their incredible brains which are constantly growing, learning and connecting.
From the moment a baby is born, their brain kicks into gear, forming millions of connections called synapses every second. This process known as neuroplasticity allows the brain to change and adapt based on every experience. Whether a child is stacking blocks, learning new words or deciding they really don’t like broccoli, their brain is building new neural pathways. When kids ask endless “why” questions, their brains are hard at work making connections and those questions are building an intricate mental network.
Here’s where things get really cool! Kids have these special windows called sensitive periods when their brain is super ready to pick up certain skills. For example, language development happens best during these early years. This is why toddlers can absorb multiple languages at once like little polyglots while adults often struggle to remember a few phrases from a high school French class. During these windows, the brain is like, “Hey, teach me now!”
Ever wonder why young kids can’t seem to sit still even for five minutes?
The Flash!
Well, the part of their brain that handles focus and impulse control is the prefrontal cortex which is still under construction. This region is basically the brain’s CEO responsible for making decisions and keeping impulses in check. In kids, the prefrontal cortex is still developing which is why they often act on impulse or struggle to stay focused. It’s not that they’re trying to be wild; it’s just that their brain isn’t great at weighing the consequences yet.
And then there are the legendary meltdowns like when the world falls apart because their sandwich was cut the “wrong way.” These emotional outbursts can be blamed on the amygdala which is the brain’s emotional control center. In children, the amygdala is fully online long before the prefrontal cortex is ready to jump in and calm things down. This explains why kids sometimes go from zero to meltdown in seconds.
Kid: “I WANTED THE BLUE CUP!”
You: “But you have the red one. It’s just as good.”
Kid: “NOOOO, I WANTED BLUE!”
Yep, that’s the amygdala at work overwhelming logic with pure emotion.
Now let’s talk about play because it’s not just about having fun. Play is one of the brain’s best tools for learning. Neuroscience shows that play helps kids build cognitive skills, solve problems and strengthen social bonds. When they’re playing, the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory, is hard at work, creating and reinforcing those all-important neural connections.
Whether they’re playing pretend, building towers or chasing each other around the yard, their brain is learning. In fact, play is so powerful that many early childhood education programs prioritize learning through play as a key teaching strategy.
But it’s not all fun and games. Chronic stress can have a negative impact on a child’s developing brain. When kids are exposed to ongoing stress—like from school pressures, family problems, or other challenges—their brain releases a hormone called cortisol. Too much cortisol can interfere with the development of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, affecting learning, memory, and emotional regulation.
This is why creating a supportive, nurturing environment is crucial for brain development. When kids feel safe and encouraged, their brains can focus on growth and learning. Children’s brains are incredible, constantly lighting up with new connections and possibilities. Every experience they have—from playtime to meltdowns—shapes the way they learn, think, and behave. Neuroscience helps us understand these processes, giving us better insight into why kids do the things they do (even the baffling stuff!).
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