ENVIRO N M E N T A L

INFLU E N C E S O N
E N T O F T H E B R A IN
DEVELOIFPEM N C E S W H ET H E R
L
’S EXPERIE
O R S E H AV E L A S T IN G
BETTER OR W E
C A PA C IT Y O F T H
EFFECTS ON THE O
RV O U S S Y S TE M T
CENTRAL NE .
E IN F O R M A T IO N
LEARN AND STOR
 HUMAN BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
•IS CREATED THROUGH CONTINUING COMPLEX
INTERACTIONS OF GENETICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL
INFLUENCES.
•LESS IS KNOWN ABOUT THE RELATIVE IMPACT OF
GENES AND ENVIRONMENT WHILE THE BRAIN IS
ACTIVELY DEVELOPING.
 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
Controls most functions of the body and mind. It consists of two
parts; the brain and the spinal cord.

CHRONIC MALNUTRITION
 Also called “stunting” this is a condition that develops when
children do not eat the correct balance of nutrients.
 Specially during the prenatal period can have adverse effects on
the brain.
 BRAIN DAMAGE
Is an injury that causes the destruction or deterioration of
the brain cells.
Is attributed to bad effects of having to live in bad
environments.

Early1950s experiments had been conducted on rats and

other animals.
Stimulating apparatuses were found to have heavier brains,
more connective cells, and good brain cell connections.
 MIDBRAIN & MEDULLA
Are the most fully developed at birth.
Regulate vital functions like heartbeat and respiration, as
well as attention, sleeping, walking, elimination, and
movement of the head and neck.
CORTEX
The least developed part of the brain at birth is the cortex,
the convoluted gray matter wrapped around the midbrain
and is involved in perception, body movement, thinking,
and language (Bee and Boyd, 2002).
 LATERALIZATION
It is the brain structure through which the left and right side
of the cerebral cortex communicate.
As this structure grows the functional specialization of the
left and right hemispheres of the cerebral cortex is achieved.

Among 95% of human brain functions are laterized through

a pattern called left-brain dominance.
The remaining small portion of the functions that account
for 5% are reversed, the pattern is called right-brain
dominance.
 III. FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT:
MATERNAL NUTRITION, CHILD NUTITION,
EARLY SENSORY STIMULATION
 1. Maternal Nutrition- mother supplies all the nutrients to
the inborn fetus through the food intake so that she should
take care of her diet for her sake and that of the fetus.
 It is important that she gets a continuous supply of fresh
vegetables, fruits, minerals, and vitamins needed.
 2. Child Nutrition- it is not the amount of food that
children eat but what they eat that contributes to healthy
living.
 A healthy diet includes an adequate supply of fruits and
vegetables, whole grains, food rich I protein and calcium
like meat and dairy products.

 3. Early Sensory Stimulation- children under 6 years of age

tend to be farsighted, because their eyes have not matured
and are shaped differently from those of adults.
 After that age, the eyes not only are more mature but can
focus better.
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT GROWTH
 1. Genetic History- according to Lynne Levitsky, M.D.,
chief of the pediatric endocrine unit of Massachusetts
General Hospital in Boston, the child’s genetic history
influences to a large extent his growth.
 By looking at the parents height, the rate of growth of the
child can more or less be predicted.

 2. Nutrition- “without a good diet, kids won’t grow

normally,” says Jo Anne Hattner, R.D., a pediatric
specialist at the American Dietetic Association
 3. Medical Condition- children born with or develop
serious medical conditions can have stunted growth of not
treated.
 Some of these are: gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac
disease; food allergies; thyroid problems; hormone
deficiency; heart, kidney, or liver ailments; and certain
chromosomal abnormalities.
 4. Exercises- regular physical activity promotes growth by
strengthening bones and muscles. Moreover, they can
cause trauma to developing bones.

 5. Sleep- about 70 to 80 percent of growth hormone is

secreted during sleep, says Paul Saenger, M.D., a pediatric
endocrinologist at Children Hospital at Montefiore Medical
Center, New York City.
 6. children must be nurtured with love, patience, and
understanding.
 They need a supportive family environment.
 The children experience anxieties brought by
emotional neglect and too much tension growth is
also stunted.
 The condition called “psychosocial growth failure”
by doctors- is extremely rare, but its consequences
are as real as malnutrition.