Parts of the Brain for Kids
Everyone knows they have a brain inside their head but do you actually know what a brain is? The average brain weighs three pounds and is made up of over 100 billion nerve cells. These cells are called neurons and they work together to produce thought and coordinate physical actions. Neurons send information to the brain at 150 miles per hour which is why we can think and react so quickly. The brain also has one trillion other cells that give it structure and keep it healthy. The brain is powered by oxygen delivered to it by the blood stream. In fact, 20% of the oxygen in your blood ends up being used by the brain.
What Does the Brain Do?
In the most basic terms: the brain controls the body. When you think about moving your arm, you do it with your brain. When you actually do move your arm, the electrical impulses sent from your brain to your arm make it happen. These messages travel from the brain to the spinal cord which acts like the body’s switchboard and sends the impulses where they need to go.
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What are the Parts of the Brain?
The brain has five main parts: cerebrum, brain stem, cerebellum, hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
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The cerebrum is the biggest part and it is in charge of your voluntary muscle movements. What this means is that all the parts of your body that you have to think about moving are controlled by the cerebrum. Every time you toss a ball, do jumping jacks in gym class or chew food, you are using your cerebrum. This part is also responsible for your memory and thinking. You use your cerebrum when you solve a tough math problem in class and then you use it again when you remember it and tell your family about it later.
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The cerebellum is a lot smaller than the cerebrum. It is located in the back of the brain and its job is maintaining your balance and coordination. While the cerebrum allows you to move your leg to kick a ball, the cerebellum keeps you from falling over in the process.
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The brain stem connects the brain with the spinal cord. While the cerebrum controls voluntary muscle movement, the brain stem is responsible for the muscles that work by themselves. Your heart beats and your stomach digests food because your brain stem tells them to.
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The pituitary gland is a pea-size gland that releases hormones into the body. These hormones are responsible for a number of changes in the body such as blood sugar content, metabolism and even puberty.
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The hypothalamus can be found deep in the brain, right near the center. It controls how hot your body is. The hypothalamus has your body sweat when it becomes hot and, when you’re cold, the hypothalamus tells your body to shiver.
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Who are Left-Brained and Right-Brained People?
Looking at a picture of the brain, you can easily see the cerebrum is separated into two halves. Some scientists believe that the left side handles your logic and speech while the right side is responsible for the more creative activities. Musicians and artists are said to be “right-brained” while scientists are thought to be “left-brained.” The left side of your brain controls the right side of your body while right side of the brain controls the left side. For this reason, some people believe that left-handed people tend to be more creative.
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Does the Brain Grow?
Yes, the brain grows! From the time you are born to your first birthday, your brain triples in size. It keeps getting bigger until you are about twenty years old. In order to help it grow, you should exercise. You need to stretch your arms, legs, neck and back before doing exercise or playing sports. The brain works much the same. It needs to be “exercised” by being challenged with puzzles, reading, writing and crafts.
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The brain is really an amazing organ. It allows us not only to move, but to do so with coordination. We couldn’t even think about moving without it. Thanks to some of the neurons in the brain, we can also learn information and remember it later.
Written By: Edson Farnell | Email |
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