The Amazing Brain
The Amazing Brain: Cerebral Arteries
The Amazing Brain: Neurons
The Amazing Brain: Synapse
The Vestibular System
1. Facilitates children’s development of the following skills:
• Balance• Learned motor skills: walking,
hopping, & running.
2. Children love to spin or ride, activating the vestibular system.
3. The rhythmic movement of play: • supports language development
(eye-tracking necessary for reading)
What Is BDNF?
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF):
• a protein which has activity on certain neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
• it supports the survival of existing neurons, and encourages the growth of new synapses connections.
BDNF BenefitsVigorous physical activity does the following:
• activates genes in the brain • generates the production of BDNF
BDNF does the following:• stimulates neurogenesis (nerve cell development) • production is stunted by stress
Environments changes the brain!
A busier, more complex outside environment will physically alter the physical structure inside the brain!
Novelty & Complexity in the Brain:Playing a Computer Game
Novelty & Complexity in the Brain:Playing a Computer Game
Experienced Player
Inexperienced Player
Novelty & Complexity on the Playground
Sand
Loose Parts
Water
Physical Activity & the BrainThe cyclical process between the brain and physical activity has a role in neurogenesis. Leshner (2002)
• Muscles in the body rely on the brain for cues to begin movement or react to a stimulus.
•This movement, in-turn, regulates blood flow
•Blood-flow feeds the brain both oxygen and nutrients.
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With Exercise
Without Exercise
Neu
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enesis in
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r weeks
Exercise Doubles Neurogenesis
Source: From H. Van Praag, G. Kempermann, and F. Gage, “Running Increases Cell Poliferation and Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Dentate Gyrus,” Nature Neoroscience 1999, 2, 266-270
Mirror Neurons
“Mirror Neurons make it possible for people to learn complex motor skills simply by seeing others perform them”.
(Hamilton, 2008)
Play = Learning
Questions & Discussions
Resource Supplement• Magic Trees of the Mind (1998)Diamond, M.• Enriching the Brain (2005) Jensen, E.• The Amazing Brain (2007) Wolfe, P.• A Nation of Wimps; The High Cost of Invasive
Parenting (2008) Marano, H.• The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog (2006)
Perry, B.• The Developmental Benefits of Playgrounds
(2004) Frost, J. & Szalavitz, M.• Einstein Never Used Flash Cards (2003) Hirsh-
Pasek, K. & Golinkoff, R.
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