Explaining the human brain to your child may seem overwhelming, but it can be a fun way to introduce your child to science and biology. The human brain is best understood by breaking it down into manageable sections and through the use of visual aids.
Step 1
Explain that the brain is divided into the right and left sides, which are called hemispheres. Use a model or picture of the brain, and show your child how the brain has a crease that runs down the middle.
Step 2
Describe how the left hemisphere is responsible for our verbal skills--how we talk, read and listen to others. The brain does this by taking in information and then sending messages or signals to the ears and mouth.
Step 3
Tell your child that the right hemisphere is allocated for nonverbal skills such as music, art and overall visual spatial skills.
Step 4
Talk about how the brain controls motor skills. Most children will be fascinated with the idea that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
Step 5
Explain to your child that the brain has four basic divisions, also called lobes. Begin with the front of the brain and work your way back.
Step 6
Show your child the first part of the brain, the front area behind the forehead which is called the frontal lobe. A child will understand that this is like the brain's "boss," and it is responsible for organizing thoughts and helping us keep our behavior appropriate and attentive.
Step 7
Point to the next area of the brain as you work your way back: This is the area beneath the ears and it is called the temporal lobe. The temporal lobe is responsible for hearing and memory. Explain to your child that this is where the brain learns new information and stores it for later use.
Step 8
Show your child the area above the temporal lobe and towards the back of the brain. This is the parietal lobe. The parietal lobe helps with perception and organization of sensations such as touch. When we feel something or taste a particular food, this information is sent to the parietal lobe which helps us make sense of what we are feeling or tasting.
Step 9
Move your way to the very back of the brain and point out the occipital lobe. The occipital lobe is the bump that extends to the very back of the skull. Explain to your child that this part of the brain makes sense of visual information taken in by the eyes.
Tips and Warnings
- Working through basic neuroanatomy workbooks or using visual media on the computer can be a helpful and fun way for your child to better understand basic brain functioning. Great resources include websites such as neuroskills.com or basic neuroanatomy books like "The Human Brain Coloring Book" by Marin Diamond.
Things You'll Need
- Basic brain model (optional)
- Outline of a human brain in picture format (optional)
References
- "The Human Brain Coloring Book"; Marian Diamond; 1985
- "Atlas of Brain Function"; William W. Orrison; 2008
