Brain Development
The Brain Highways program is a fun, non-invasive way to help children develop their brain so that it works the way it’s intended. Click on the following to learn what might interfere with natural brain development, how such interruption can affect our potential, and what we can do to change that.
How the Brain is Supposed to Develop in the Early Years
During the first months of life, we’re governed by primitive reflexes that are directed from the brainstem. Initially, we need these primitive reflexes to survive. They also provide basic training for voluntary skills that will develop at a later time.
As the brain begins to develop, primitive reflexes soon become inhibited so that they’re no longer the “boss.” During this time, the lower centers of the brain also develop so that we acquire important, automatic brain functions.
Eventually, there is a shift in the brain, where our higher centers (the cortex) take command. Once the cortex is in charge, the brain is organized to function as intended, and now it becomes easy to learn, reflect, focus, and interact with others.
How We End Up with a Disorganized Brain
Sometimes, our primitive reflexes do not become inhibited, and our lower centers of the brain do not finish developing. Then we have what could be called a disorganized brain.
In this jumbled state, our primitive reflexes won’t retire—even thought their time in the spotlight has long passed—and our lower centers of the brain have not completed their development. As a result, we still spend much of our time in survival mode, which can be very disruptive. We also have to do daily tasks without the benefit of some very basic, automatic brain functions that would have been acquired if such development had been completed.
This disarray causes our cortex to be distracted. Now, instead of focusing on its own job, the cortex is preoccupied with seeking ways to compensate for those missing functions. Of course, this undertaking is in addition to trying to override those retained primitive reflex reactions that keep popping up.
At times, the cortex is successful in its effort to help those parts of the brain that aren’t functioning as intended. At other times, it’s not. In all cases, a disorganized brain never allows a person to show his true potential.
The Good News
Our modern, lifestyle changes may have inadvertently interfered with natural brain development. However, none of our “old” lifestyle has disappeared from the planet. So, that means we can apply knowledge of natural brain development to ensure that babies get what they need their first year of life.
Likewise, if we missed out on some of that natural development the first time around, we can always go back and re-create developmental opportunities that were missed as a baby. Then, when primitive reflexes are inhibited and the lower brain development is complete, the brain becomes organized in the way it’s intended to function.
