How the Brain Develops 

Parents, when a child cannot read, it definitely adds stress to his life.  It's possible that stress in a child's life can affect the way his brain makes connections. 

Moms, Dads, here are the facts. How you put these facts together for your child's situation will depend upon what you believe your child has already gone through in his learning-to-read experiences.

P.S. Just from reading through the information (below) concerning "synaptic connections," it helps us to understand what an awesome Creator we have! 

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These facts were taken from Rethinking the Brain:

New Insights Into Early Development by Rima Shore

Much of what we are learning about how the brain works in young children

has advanced because of new technologies (MRI and PET scans).  

• Babies are born with 1 billion neurons or brain cells, but they are not connected.

Children ages 3-10 have three times as many synapses as an adult; 50 trillion at birth, 100 trillion at

1 year

• (NOTE: The term synapse is from the Greek word synaptein, for "juncture" or "fasten together." A synapse, therefore, is a connection which allows for the transmission of nerve impulses.)

• Each neuron forms up to 15,000 separate synaptic connections-- more than all the stars in

the universe!

• Connections between the neurons are made through sensory experiences—seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, tasting.

• This process is enhanced by neurotransmitters, chemicals, such as serotonin.

• When a child feels good, loved and cared for, that child's brain produces higher levels of serotonin, which in turn enhances the connections.

• Cortisol, a hormone, is elevated in stressful situations. When it is elevated for long periods of time, it inhibits the transmission of serotonin in the brain, which inhibits connections needed for learning.