When Susan was pregnant, she knew that financial worries and family struggles caused her a lot of stress. What she didn’t know was that this stress may have affected her unborn child. That’s because when a pregnant woman is stressed, her body produces a large amount of cortisol and other stress hormones. High levels of these hormones impair the development of critical brain cells called neurons.

How Baby’s Brain Develops

During the third week of pregnancy, a thin layer of cells folds inward forming a neural tube. In this tube, neurons (brain cells that store and transmit information) are produced at the amazing rate of 250,000 cells per minute. These neurons are responsible for every conceivable activity including breathing, development of reflexes, regulation of the heartbeat, and development of the brain’s capacity to store and send information.

At the end of the second trimester, production of neurons ceases entirely. No more neurons will be produced in the individual’s lifetime.

After birth, each of the brain's 100 billion neurons begin to create thousands of links with each other, creating a weblike network of wire-like fibers called axons (which transmit signals) and dendrites (which receive signals). Once axons make their first connections, the nerves begin to fire. This process is generally referred to as the "wiring" of the brain.

Scientists often describe this stage as the equivalent of creating telephone trunk lines between every phone in the neighborhood, and every neighborhood in the city. At this point in development, the brain begins to sort out which wires belong to which house. These connections, known as synapses, become the "map" by which the brain will send and receive input in the process of learning.

In the months after birth, the number of synapses increases from 50 trillion to 1 quadrillion. Neurons that are stimulated by input from the child’s surrounding environment continue to establish new synapses. Those that are seldom stimulated soon die off. Dr. Harry Chugani, professor of pediatric neurology at Wayne State University says "It's like a highway system. Roads with the most traffic get widened. The ones that are rarely used fall into disrepair."

What Difference Does Stress Make?

When prenatal stress hormones impair the initial development of neurons, there are fewer cells to form connections. This limits the number of pathways the brain needs to communicate effectively and to receive and store information. As a result, children can develop learning deficits.

While this may seem distressing, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Researchers have found that the brain possesses a quality called "plasticity" (the ability to change and develop in response to demands in the environment). If proper stimulation is provided during the developmental stages when the brain is trying to learn key skills, the proper wiring will occur and the deficit can be overcome. The most important factors in this process of developing new connections while learning are stimulation and repetition.

What Can Parents Do?

Here are a few tips for providing a learning environment that can help your child overcome early deficits:

  1. Create a stable bond between parent/caregiver and child.
  2. Provide a warm and loving environment.
  3. Make time for plenty of direct interaction and verbal communication with your child.
  4. Read, sing, and talk regularly with your baby to stimulate the development of language skills.
  5. Encourage safe exploration and play.
  6. Develop stable daily routines and rituals.
  7. Limit television time and choose carefully what you watch.
  8. Provide your child with toys that enhance learning.

Check out these resources for more information:

Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc.
2228 Ball Drive
St. Louis, Mo. 63146
314-432-4330 phone
314-432-8963 fax
1-866-PAT4YOU (1-866-728-4968)

I Am Your Child Foundation
81325 6th Avenue, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 636-5030 phone
(212) 636-5868 fax

National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street NW
Washington D.C. 20036-1426
202-232-8777 or 800-424-2460 

 

Helen Irene Zundel is a freelance writer specializing in writing educational and family oriented articles.