A common misconception about the brain is that it fully matures within the first few years of life and that its development can be best aided by bombarding it with as much stimulation as possible—reading instruction, violin lessons, art classes, and so on—before the owner reaches kindergarten. That could not be further from the truth. Although the brain develops rapidly before birth and in the first few years after birth, it continues to grow throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. To be sure, the early years are crucial, but the kinds of experiences that foster the brain's early development are fairly common.
Development of the brain
Development of the brain
Development of the brain
A common misconception about the brain is that it fully matures within the first few years of life and that its development can be best aided by bombarding it with as much stimulation as possible—reading instruction, violin lessons, art classes, and so on—before the owner reaches kindergarten. That could not be further from the truth. Although the brain develops rapidly before birth and in the first few years after birth, it continues to grow throughout childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. To be sure, the early years are crucial, but the kinds of experiences that foster the brain's early development are fairly common.