Abstract
This paper looks at the development of the brain from the moment of conception to one year of age. It looks at the development of gender, gender differences in the brain, cognition, and how cognitive function changes through adulthood into old age.

From the Paper
There is a four-year period of potential growth lasting from conception until around the third birthday, which is the most critical period for human development. Maria Montessori called this La mente del bambino or the time of the absorbent mind. The brain is composed basically of two types of cells; the neurons which are the nerve cells and the glial cells which are the supportive cells. Information is integrated in the cell bodies of the neurons and travels as an electrochemical impulse along the axon where the..."

Tags:brain development, cognition, gender development, adolescence, aging

Abstract
In this article the writer discusses the function of the brain within people with autism. The writer firstly defines the neurological disorder of autism that affects each individual in a different way. It should be noted, however, that autism negatively affects normal brain function. The writer notes that many individuals with autism have been considered remarkably intelligent, despite their difficulties relating to the rest of the social order. Further, the writer points out that due to these variances in the manner that autism is present in the affected individual, the issue of brain development comes into question.

From the Paper
"Children with autism may not begin to show signs of the developmental disorder until they have passed infancy. A neurological disorder, autism cannot be defined by standard criteria that are universal to all patients because the disorder affects each individual differently. It should be noted, however, that autism negatively affects normal brain function. As the disorder progresses it will inhibit the individual's ability with social interaction and communication."

Tags:brain, autistic, development

Abstract
This paper describes the different sections of the brain, their locations, and their different processes and functions. It talks about the role of emotions in the thinking and learning process, the attention process, and the information retrieval process, and how knowledge of these processes should be used for teaching purposes. It concludes with a discussion of the early stages of the brain's development and of the importance of providing an environment for early cognitive development.

Basics of the Brain
Role of Emotions in the Thinking and Learning Process
Biology of Attention
Using the Brain to Retrieve Information

From the Paper
"The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is part of the central nervous system contained within the skull and is surrounded by a layer of protective fluid (MSN Encarta, 2003). It is the control center for movement, sleep, hunger, thirst, and virtually every other vital activity necessary to survival and the source of all the qualities and emotions that define our humanity. Viewed for hundreds of years as incomprehensible, the brain is what makes us conscious, emotional, and intelligent."

Tags:forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain, cerebrum, nerve, fibers, lobes, hemisphere, temporal

Abstract
This paper explores two articles that discuss how parenting in the formative months of a child's life can affect that child's cognitive and behavioural development for a lifetime. The paper focuses on the salient points of each article and suggests that each article forces the reader to reconsider anew some of the traditional assumptions that have grown up around parenting.

From the Paper
"The role that parents play in the neurological development of their children cannot be under-emphasized. This brief paper presents a summary of two short articles that detail the impact that parents have upon the healthy cognitive and emotional development of their children. As will soon become evident, the information contained in these two brief articles reveals the link between strong parenting and strong, healthy young people. Therefore, the conclusion that it leaves with the reader is that parenting in the earliest stages of life is of far greater importance than we might otherwise suspect. Additionally, the information gleaned from the material presented in these two articles ties in neatly with the broader issues we have touched upon in class; to wit, the earliest stages of life set the ground work for all that will follow."

Tags:children, cognitive, development

Abstract
This paper examines how seizures and recurring seizures (epilepsy) damage the brain or occur when the brain has already been damaged. It looks at how they affect babies, children, and adults and can lead to permanent problems. The paper also discusses how seizures, along with medication can change a person's outlook on everything and essentially change his personality and brain development.

Outline:
Abstract
The Effects of Seizures on Children
The Effects of Seizures on Older People
Conclusion

From the Paper
"To really understand the definition of a seizure, one must understand the brain. The brain is a complex organ that contains roughly 15-33 billion neurons that control and receive electrical impulses. Electrical impulses allow neurons to communicate with one another, control muscles and process information. When there is abnormal or excessive electrical activity in the brain, a seizure occurs. It is not completely understood why neurons start to misfire. Some known causes are high fever, brain infections, metabolic disorders, inadequate oxygen supply to the brain, structural damage to the brain, abnormalities present or occurring at birth, fluid accumulation in the brain, prescription drugs, recreational drugs, withdrawal of a drug after heavy use, and exposure to toxins."

Tags:neurons, epilepsy, dementia

Abstract
The paper discusses the need for stimulation to the brain as a child develops from infant to toddler. It discusses that during these stages, without external stimulation, it is very unlikely that a child will develop healthy functionality of various organs, including the eyes and brain. The paper references three psychologists, Jean Piaget, Erik Erickson, and Sigmund Freud, that have studied cognitive development from infant to early adolescents.

From the Paper
" In Erickson's eight stages of psychosocial development, he studies all age groups from infancy through adulthood. In the first and second stages address the development of infants and toddlers through the first two years of life. In Erickson's first stage, the baby develops trust vs. mistrust. In this stage the baby needs care, love, food, and to be held in the mother's arms. If a child receives these essential needs from a parent or guardian, the needs of the child are met and he will develop trust in adults. The child may then experience normal cognitive, emotional, and social growth. However, if a child is deprived of this nurturing, she will develop an overall mistrust of people in her environment (Harder)."

Tags:adolescent, Piaget, Erikson, Freud, environment, communication

Abstract
Early childhood years are said to be of great importance as far as taking in new information and in the facilitation of the learning process. With that said, the writer maintains that music has been found to be a great tool in aiding the learning process, especially in fetal, infant and early childhood brains. There has been much research on the impact of music on child brain development in recent times, as well as in the past. The early childhood years, as well as prenatally, continue to be of importance in regards to children taking in information. In this paper, the writer studies four separate articles on this subject.

From the Paper
"The author in this article discusses and explores the possibility of young children benefiting from early childhood musical instruction. The author also discusses the impact of sensory and fetal experiences on fetal brain development, the importance of parent and teacher participation on children's musical education, involvement of music educators on cognitive science and neuroscience and developmental psychology researches (Fox, 2000). The author discusses several research studies, such as: the Perry Preschool Project, which followed up with children in different types of preschool programs. The children in this study ranged from ages three to adulthood. The results of this study indicated that early educational experiences impact the long-term direction of children's development, significantly (Fox, 2000)."

Tags:learning, progress, children, sounds

Abstract
This paper explains that the Georgia Head Start organization began distributing CDs with classical music on them to every newborn child?s mother as part of a program designed to aid in the early childhood development of children?s intelligence. The author points out that, if pathways in the brain go unused, they will eventually wither away; however, a child who cannot yet form words and sentences can hear and be motivated by music, thus stimulating brain growth. The paper suggests that the program of handing out music CDs to parents whose children need the greatest amount of assistance available is a terrific plan, but poorly executed; instead, it would be better to regularly play classical music in the Head Start centers.

From the Paper
"The research of Rausher and Shaw was based on the initial belief that music learning, in some shape or form, may count among the kinds of experiences that lead to long-term changes in the brain's hard wiring neural development. Using a group of 84 college students, they demonstrated that listening to a Mozart piano sonata for 10 minutes improved the students' spatial-temporal reasoning skills. The students increased their ability to form mental images from physical objects, or to see abstract patterns in space and time. These skills are key to engineers and architects, and form the basis for understanding proportion, geometry, and other mathematical and scientific concepts."

Tags:stimulation, start, mozart, plan, research

Abstract
The paper overviews the functions of the human brain and its many parts. The paper first describes what our brain looks like and compares it to the brains of animals and fish. The paper then explores whether the mathematical and scientific abilities of geniuses have something to do with their brain development. Furthermore, the paper discusses the main function of the human brain that is its ability to store, retain and subsequently retrieve information. The brain activity that causes dreams is also discussed.

From the Paper
"The human brain is a unique creation - it is wonderfully made to enable us to think, plan, move, see, speak, hear, taste, smell and imagine. It is the central organ of sensation, thought and the true seat of intelligence. The brain is responsible for the major functions of the body in order to survive. It is the one in charge of controlling the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. The human brain accepts and processes information through our senses - seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting. Even our capacity to handle physical motion when we do our daily activities is controlled by our brain. It dictates the parameter the way we talk, walk, sit, run, and perform other locomotors. It also has coordinating and regulating functions that allow us to use our logic, provide reasoning, experience emotions, and even to dream."

Tags:memory, neurons, cells, dreams

Abstract
This paper addresses the topic of congenital brain defects, a group of disorders of brain development.