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An introduction to the brain as the control center of the body and how it helps us learn new things.
Did you know that right now, a 'supercomputer' inside your head is telling your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your eyes to read these words—all at the same time?
Your brain is the most important part of your body! It sits safely inside your hard skull, acting like a control center or a 'boss.' It sends messages to every other part of you. When you want to wiggle your toes, your brain sends a lightning-fast signal down to your feet. It also handles things you don't even think about, like keeping your heart pumping and helping you breathe while you sleep. Without your brain, you wouldn't be able to see the colors of a rainbow or feel the fluffiness of a puppy's fur. It is the part of you that makes you you!
Quick Check
Where is your brain located, and what is its main job?
Answer
The brain is located inside your head (skull), and its job is to be the control center for your whole body.
Even though the brain isn't actually a muscle, it acts a lot like one. When you lift heavy things, your arm muscles get stronger. When you use your brain to learn something new, like a math problem such as , your brain grows stronger too! Inside your brain, there are billions of tiny cells that connect to each other. When you practice a new skill, the connection between these cells becomes like a paved road. The more you practice, the faster the messages can travel. This is why riding a bike is hard at first, but becomes easy later!
Think about learning to tie your shoes: 1. The first time, your brain has to think very hard about every loop. 2. The second time, it remembers a little bit more. 3. After times, your brain has built a strong 'pathway.' 4. Now, you can tie your shoes while talking to a friend because your brain knows exactly what to do!
Quick Check
What happens to the connections in your brain when you practice something many times?
Answer
The connections get stronger and faster, making the task easier to do.
Your brain has different 'departments' for different jobs. One part helps you with logic and math, like figuring out that if you have apples and eat , you have left (). Another part helps you with emotions, like feeling happy when you see a friend. There is even a part at the back that helps you stay balanced so you don't fall over! Every time you try a difficult puzzle or learn a new word, you are giving your brain a 'workout' that makes it smarter and more capable.
Imagine you are walking across a narrow log in a park: 1. Your eyes see the log and tell the brain where it is. 2. Your brain sends messages to your arms to reach out for balance. 3. Your brain tells your legs exactly how much force to use so you don't tip over. 4. All of this happens in less than second!
Which part of your body is the 'control center' for thinking and learning?
Your brain gets stronger and smarter when you practice hard things.
Which of these is a job that your brain helps you do?
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, try to remember: What is the name of the 'control center' inside your head?
Practice Activity
Pick one thing that is hard for you to do (like drawing a star or counting by fives). Practice it for 5 minutes today to help your brain build a new 'pathway'!