brain research

I came across this wonderful video which gives the scientific answer to this question. Which has more potential- A child’s brain or the internet? You can find out for yourself by watching “BRAIN POWER: From Neurons to Networks.” You will actually build more connections in your brain by watching the video, because you will be learning something new!

Interesting facts about the brain:

* A child is born with 100 billion neurons.

* The Internet has 100 trillion links.

* An adult’s brain has 300 trillion connections.

* A child’s brain has a quadrillion connections, which form during the first five years of a child’s life….that is 10 times the amount of the entire internet!

* A fruit fly has 100,000 active brain cells.

* A mouse has 5 million.

* A monkey has 10 billion.

* Adults have had 100 billion active brain cells, since birth!

Sources:

http://letitripple.org/

http://www.thelearningweb.net/chapter03/page113.html

As an educator, I am asked all the time by parents “what can make my child smarter?” This is how I am going to answer this question from now on…have your child learn another language!

How does learning another language help a child “get smarter” you ask? This is what recent research reveals about bilingualism and dual language learning.

Current Research about Learning Two Languages:

A child’s thinking and cognition is improved by learning another language.
Children who know two languages are better problem-solvers!
Their brain works differently.
Knowledge of a second language affects how you read in your native tongue-sometimes faster.
It alters grey matter – the area of the brain which processes information, just like exercising builds muscle.
It improves skills in the native language.
Regardless of race and socioeconomic status, children with dual languages, did better on standardized tests.
Higher creativity in story-telling occurs.
In terms of language-semantic development, they were ahead by 2-3 years.
It exercises the brain, as it is a cognitivly-challenging task.

Old Myths about Dual language Learning:

(Keep in mind, these are beliefs that are not backed up by research. Some children did experience these obstacles, but some of those children also had prior learning/speech disorders in their native language)

It confuses children.
Learning another language takes brain power away from learning the native language.
The native language worsens as a result.
Test scores decrease.

Future Benefits of Knowing Two or more Language:

The opportunity for getting a better job, which requires bilingualism.
The chance to travel to other countries for that job!
Improved tolerance and awareness of other cultures.
Increases social skills with those of other culutures.

Isnt’ this all amazing! I am so excited to learn what this new research proves about bilingualism! I would love to hear your experiences with children learning two languages!

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=bilingual-brains

http://io9.com/5897308/immersion-in-a-foreign-language-rewires-your-brain-+-especially-when-you-take-time-off

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3739690.stm

http://www.cerebralhacks.com/brain-exercises/the-effect-of-a-second-language-on-the-brain/