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Coception
The first signs of brain development comes a few weeks after conception. The fetus begins to develop the nervous system. First the "neural plate" is formed, and after time the neural plate enlarges until it folds in on itself. The fold formed is known as the "neural tube." The neural tube then becomes the brain and the spinal cord, and eventually developed into a full nervous system.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp25wrm-AoA -
The First Trimester
From the first week of conception to the 12th week of conception is known as the first trimester. In the first 6-7 weeks the brain separate into three parts. The mid-brain, fore-brain, and hindbrain. Each of these parts will become specialized in a specific function. The brain will continue to make millions of neurons creating connections between synapses. The connections between neurons will help the baby learn how to move. -
The Second Trimester
The brain will begin to try to start using the diaphragm, and the cerebellum has a lot of activity going on, constantly trying to get the baby to move and get the feel for specific movements. At this point the brain stem is almost completely developed, which means the nervous system is almost fully developed. The baby can now detect noises, and start identifying specific sounds like the mothers voice. The baby will also begin to experience sleep cycles controlled by the hypothalamus. -
The Third Trimester
The babies brain triples in size and becomes more complex. The cerebellum develops the most in this stage, due to being a vital role in one of the most important skills, motor skills. The cerebrum develops ridges to localize function. At this point the baby should have access to all sensory skills. -
New Born
At this point the babies brain is around a quarter of the size a full grown adult brain. Babies are born with billions of neurons with millions of synaptic gaps. In this stage cranial nerves become militated, which make for an easier path for electromagnetic signals to travel across the brain. Survival instincts are also developed, which have been developing even before birth. -
2 Months Post Birth
The baby can now start to track things with its eyes. The baby is now more conscious to touch, connecting physical contact with affection. The baby is not able to speak however, the baby can use crying as a means of communication. The temporal lobe also shows to be extremely active around this time, due to the increase use of auditory senses. The baby begins to recognize daily sounds and words. -
4-6 Months After Birth
The left side of the brain is now fully activated and in correspondence with the right side of the brain. Babies will begin to develop movements that prepare for crawling, reactive capabilities, and emotion. The baby has now developed noise recognition and verbal capabilities, such as repeating sounds heard. -
8-12 Months Post Birth
The baby is now conscious about things around it and now has an attention span, although it is very short. The baby has developed desires and can now establish was it likes and dislikes. Most importantly, the babies vision is now equivalent to that of an adults. At this point the babies brain has doubled in size since birth as well. -
14 Months Post Birth
The baby should be able to communicate with sounds, and the baby is now able to understand words and body language. The right side of the brain is fully activated and is in almost complete control of the baby. The use of the right side of the brain can be connected to sporadic emotions that the baby might display. -
16 Months Post Birth
The baby has developed a very small vocabulary and attempts to listen and even include themselves in conversation. The baby also becomes more independent, learning that they have self control. At this point the baby can do simple tasks such as point things out, or find objects. The baby understands a lot more than what they can express. -
18-24 Month Post Birth
The toddler can now walk and probably run, the toddler will also become favor using one hand over the other. Now the toddler has strong opinions about things. The brain is now 80% of the size of an adults brain. The brain starts to develop nerve connections which are based on what the child is learning. The baby begins to develop a memory as well. -
Sources
[Flo.health] https://flo.health/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/fetal-development/fetal-brain-development
[healthychildren.org] https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Cognitive-Development-8-to-12-Months.aspx
[Baby Center] https://www.babycenter.com/toddler/1-year-old/16-month-old_40007644#:~:text=Language%20and%20cognitive%20development,-Language%20comprehension%2C%20vocabulary&text=Your%2016%2Dmonth%2Dold%20may%20be%20able%20to%20say%20as,than%20he%20can%20say%2C%20too.