How the Brain Works for Kids
An important part of being a parent is ensuring our kids grow up healthy and happy, and a big part of that involves supporting their cognitive development. But to do that effectively, you must understand how the brain works in kids. The human brain is an incredibly complex organ, so if you're feeling overwhelmed at the thought of trying to understand it, that's completely normal.
We're not going to get into too much of the nitty-gritty when it comes to gray matter, but we’ll discuss the basics so you can get a working understanding. We're going to go over:
- The different parts of the brain
- The functions of each part of the brain
- The various stages of brain development in children
- Beneficial resources for cognitive development
So let’s get our thinking caps on and jump into all things “brain”.
The Brain Explained
We don't have enough time to discuss everything about the brain, but understanding how the brain works can help you as a parent, even if you’re not an expert.
Knowing about the different parts of the brain and how they function can help you adjust your teaching approach. This knowledge can also help you understand the importance of certain things during your child's development. Let’s start with the most important question:
What Is the Brain?
The brain is, without a doubt, the most vital organ in the human body. Nestled safely in the skull, our brains are responsible for literally everything we do.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the brain controls all of our bodily functions, from breathing to sleeping. Our brains are also responsible for interpreting the sensory information collected by the other parts of the body. Every single time you see, taste, smell, touch, or hear something, that information is transmitted to your brain. This sensory input, once processed by your brain, helps you understand and respond to your surroundings.
Our brains also allow us to command our bodies. When we choose to walk, jump, dance, or spin in a circle, that action can happen because of the brain. When we want to do something, the brain sends the appropriate signals to the rest of the body, then those muscles respond.
Our brains are also what allow us to think, remember, learn, and be creative. It's not an exaggeration to say that none of us would be the same without our brains. This is part of why it’s so important to understand how the brain works for kids and how you can help your little one develop to their fullest potential.
What Are the Main Parts of the Brain?
The human brain has three main parts: the cerebrum, the brain stem, and the cerebellum.
Cerebrum
The Cleveland Clinic states that the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain, accounting for two-thirds of the brain’s weight. This uppermost part of the brain primarily handles conscious thoughts and actions. The cerebrum is also highly involved in motor control and sensory processing.
The cerebrum has two hemispheres, right and left. The left hemisphere primarily controls language, logical thinking, and speech. The right hemisphere mainly interprets visual information and also relates to creativity and intuition. However, research published in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that both hemispheres are involved in most functions and work together in some capacity.
Both hemispheres are important for healthy cognitive function. Without the two halves working together, our brains wouldn't be able to manage the complexities of the nervous system.
Brainstem
Johns Hopkins Medicine states that the brainstem is the portion of your brain that connects the cerebrum to the spinal cord. The brainstem itself consists of smaller sections known as the midbrain, the pons, and the medulla. Despite being only about 2.6% of the brain’s total weight, the brainstem is involved in many vital functions.
This portion of the brain plays a major role in regulating the heart and respiratory functions. The brain stem also helps regulate the central nervous system and the human body’s natural sleep cycle. And, most importantly, without the brain stem, important sensory messages couldn’t be relayed to and from the brain and the rest of the body.
Cerebellum
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the cerebellum is the back part of the brain, and consists of three lobes (anterior, posterior, and flocculonodular. Located at the back of the head, this part of the brain is vital for motor function. Specifically, the cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and maintaining equilibrium.
Stages of Brain Development in Children
The stages of brain development in childhood are as follows:
Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 Years)
This stage is when infants and toddlers are first developing their cognitive abilities. Some key cognitive milestones during this stage relate to sensory exploration and object permanence. Basic motor and problem-solving skills also begin to develop during this time.
Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 Years)
This stage of cognitive development is important for language development. During this time, your child's vocabulary expands, and their thinking and reasoning skills continue to develop. Creativity also increases during this stage, encouraged by imaginative play (also called pretend play).
One other notable occurrence during this stage is a tendency for children to become "egocentric". It means that they might become more focused on themselves and their own emotions, and they might have trouble with empathy and understanding others' perspectives.
Concrete Operation Stage (7 to 11 Years)
At this stage, children learn to think more logically. Their reasoning skills develop further, allowing them a greater understanding of how things work. Being able to grasp cause-and-effect relationships and develop empathy is a key milestone at this stage. Children become less egocentric and are often better at understanding other people’s emotions.
Formal Operational Stage (12 Years to Early Adulthood)
At this stage, children become better at abstract thinking. They can contemplate hypothetical situations and consider different outcomes. Complex problem-solving is another skill that's typically developed at this stage.
Children also begin to think more about abstract concepts such as love and freedom. They also begin their moral development at this stage. A person's morality can grow and change throughout their life, but it's at this age that children start to think about right and wrong in a more philosophical way, considering their own biases and beliefs.
Why Learning Resources Are Important For Kids
Having the right learning resources is absolutely critical for encouraging healthy cognitive development. And one of the most valuable resources is the written word. Having the right books for your children can make all the difference in how their brains develop.
The Tuttle Toddlers Combo Set is great for toddlers. This 8-book set helps teach little ones the alphabet and basic counting while also introducing key words and lessons about liberty and economics. Colorful and designed to engage young children, these books are a great way to teach important values in a fun way.
Meanwhile, older children (5-12 years old) can benefit from our wide selection of learning resources. There are many fun and educational books (and workbooks) that can help your children develop their critical thinking skills. The Tuttle Twins Combo Pack is an excellent choice if you're looking for age-appropriate learning materials that educate while imparting solid family values.
Plus, our books for teens are a fantastic way to keep your older kids engaged and entertained away from the screen while learning principles that they can live by throughout their lives.
The Impact of Daily Activities on Childhood Development
Everyday activities stimulate brain activity, and our brains are particularly receptive during early childhood. Research has shown that often a child's most significant developmental growth comes from natural situations and relationships rather than formal education.
Additionally, scientists at Harvard University believe that the brain builds neural connections most actively during a child's first five years of life. This means that activities during toddlerhood can have a particularly heightened impact.
With every game or interaction, more neural pathways form. So don't underestimate the importance of your child's daily routines and activities. Everything they do helps them learn and grow.
The Importance of Positive Relationships
A study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that children's relationships can be among the most influential factors in how their brain develops. Loving, respectful relationships with the adults in their lives are critical for healthy cognitive development. It begins with relationships at home: parents, siblings, extended family, and so on. But it doesn't stop there. As your child grows up and begins to experience more of the world, the other relationships they form along the way will also affect their development.
One thing to keep in mind is the importance of strong emotional bonds between you and your children. These bonds will start in infancy with very basic “serve and return” interactions. Even if it doesn't seem like it at the time, these back-and-forth interactions (such as your baby gurgling or cooing at you and you responding) will lay the foundation for happy, healthy communication.
Ultimately, positive relationships and experiences are shown to improve cognitive development. And, of course, the opposite is also true: negative experiences can disrupt a child's development. Hardships during childhood can lead to toxic stress, which can actually physically disrupt a child's brain architecture. This disruption can have serious consequences for a child's ability to learn and grow at the same pace as their peers.
During times of hardship, it's important to maintain a positive relationship with your children. This can provide them with a sense of security and also help them build resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Gray Matter and White Matter? Are They the Same?
Gray matter and white matter are two different regions of the central nervous system. Specifically, "gray matter" refers to the darker outer portion, while "white matter" refers to the lighter inner portion.
What Are Cranial Nerves?
Cranial nerves are a set of 12 paired nerves that come from your brain. Each cranial nerve serves a different function. One cranial nerve relates to your sense of smell, another relates to eyesight, one relates to facial movement, another nerve deals with taste, and so on.
How Does a Child’s Memory Work?
Our children's memory skills grow as they do, developing as they age from infancy to young adulthood. Young children in particular rely heavily on what's known as "implicit memory" (skills, routines) and "script memory". But as they grow up, children begin to build more sophisticated episodic memories.
At What Age Do Kids’ Brains Fully Develop?
A child's brain will reach its full size by early childhood. However, usually it takes until adulthood for a person's brain to be considered fully developed and mature. Additionally, a person's brain continues to grow and strengthen throughout their lifetime.
Conclusion
As you can see, there really is a lot to know when it comes to how brains work. But with the information we've shared with you today, you should now have a decent understanding of how this vital organ functions. We hope that you find this knowledge helpful for knowing what steps to take to ensure that your children grow up to be happy and successful.
References
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons. (2024, June 14). Anatomy of the Brain. AANS.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022, July 7). Cerebellum: What It Is, Function & Anatomy. Cleveland Clinic.
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Cerebrum: What It Is, Function & Anatomy. Cleveland Clinic.
- Frosch, C. A., Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., & O’Banion, D. D. (2021). Parenting and Child Development: A Relational Health Perspective. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 15(1), 45–59.
- Harvard University. (2024, December 18). Brain Architecture - Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University; Harvard University.
- Jin, X., Liang, X., & Gong, G. (2020). Functional Integration Between the Two Brain Hemispheres: Evidence From the Homotopic Functional Connectivity Under Resting State. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Brain Anatomy and How the Brain Works. Johns Hopkins Medicine.