By: Integrated Learning Strategies
The brain of an infant contains all the brain cells needed for learning throughout their lifespan, and is about a third the size of an adult brain. During the first six months of life, motor skills and sensory processing are focused on improving our five senses, setting up the brain for higher learning.
The Brain Hierarchy Develops in Layers The brain is a complex structure with neurons, blood vessels, and synapses constantly growing, developing, or shutting down. It can be targeted with activities and exercises to improve learning development, such as front to back brain-building exercises. The area of the brain responsible for keeping the heart beating is not the same place as active learning and memory skills. There is a hierarchy of four working levels that all cooperate to control the basic life needs of time management.
Why it’s important to develop the lower levels of the brain hierarchy The four levels of brain function are the brainstem, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, and frontal lobe. During the first six months of life, higher regions of the brain develop to control movement and expand motor skills. During the sensorimotor period, the cerebellum is the all-star in the brain and regulates movement, balance, and coordination.