{"id":172,"date":"2026-02-18T16:17:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T16:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/?page_id=172"},"modified":"2026-03-19T17:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T17:37:55","slug":"brain-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/brain-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Brain Development"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Complete<\/h4>\n<h4>Brain Development<\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-135 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212748\/shutterstock_2622641051-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"233\" height=\"131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212748\/shutterstock_2622641051-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212748\/shutterstock_2622641051-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/01\/12212748\/shutterstock_2622641051.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/><\/p>\n<h5>\ud83c\udf1f Why Brain Development Matters<\/h5>\n<p>Your child\u2019s brain grows faster from pregnancy to early primary school than at any other time in life. Experiences, relationships, play, and learning shape how the brain develops\u2014laying foundations for health, learning, behaviour, and wellbeing throughout life.<\/p>\n<p>Teenagers\u2019 brains are still under construction \u2014 especially the parts responsible for planning, decision\u2011making, and managing emotions. This explains why teens can be mature one moment and impulsive the next.<\/p>\n<p>How does the brain grow from babies to teenagers:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Milestones in Brain Development and Cognitive Growth: Curious Learners\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S9MyTFbpOGE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-250\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"29\" height=\"29\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 29px) 100vw, 29px\" \/>Helpful Lealfets<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173400\/Anxiety-Parent-Guide.docx\">Anxiety-Parent-Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/a%20guide%20for%20parents%20of%20%20neurodivergent%20children\/\">A guide for parents of neurodivergent children<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6>\ud83d\udc76 <strong>Nursery \/ Early Years (0\u20135)<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 What\u2019s happening in the brain?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Rapid growth of brain (neural) connections\u2014millions formed every second.<\/li>\n<li>Strong influence of responsive caregiving and interactions.<\/li>\n<li>Play builds thought, language, motor, and emotional skills.<\/li>\n<li>Experiences strongly influence later health, learning, and behaviour.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 How parents can support early brain development?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Talk, sing, and read with your child daily.<\/li>\n<li>Provide lots of play opportunities\u2014messy play, outdoor play, imaginative play.<\/li>\n<li>Build routines that help your child feel safe and connected.<\/li>\n<li>Respond warmly to your child\u2019s cues and emotions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa5 Suggested clips<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How a child&#039;s brain develops through early experiences\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hMyDFYSkZSU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Every Child Can Thrive by Five | Molly Wright | TED\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/aISXCw0Pi94?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How we grow an emotionally healthy brain - The Centre for Early Childhood\u2019s Explainer series\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j2DaerplHgk?list=PLtZT0xmZMt3WUbbE8uYOkfn2IvhWCZhXW\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h6><strong>Primary School (5\u201312)<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 What\u2019s happening in the brain?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Growth in areas responsible for memory, attention, and problem\u2011solving.<\/li>\n<li>Increasing ability to control (regulate) emotions and behaviour.<\/li>\n<li>Play, reading, and structured learning strengthen cognitive pathways.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 How parents can support primary\u2011age brain development<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0Encourage reading for pleasure.<\/li>\n<li>Support curiosity\u2014ask questions, explore nature, build things together.<\/li>\n<li>Provide predictable routines for sleep, homework and screen time.<\/li>\n<li>Help children talk about feelings and develop coping strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa5 Suggested clips<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"PSHE | KS2 | The Brain House | BBC Teach\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6ROhDCFaUw4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Brain &amp; amygdala hand model explains how thoughts &amp; emotions fuel anxiety https:\/\/empoweru.education\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2xeDcPBD5Fk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Development During Middle Childhood\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4Ademd1m_qI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h5><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-245 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164150\/shutterstock_2719292467-300x258.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164150\/shutterstock_2719292467-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164150\/shutterstock_2719292467-768x661.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164150\/shutterstock_2719292467.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/h5>\n<h5>Secondary<\/h5>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-242 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164143\/shutterstock_2667829057-300x217.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164143\/shutterstock_2667829057-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164143\/shutterstock_2667829057-768x555.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164143\/shutterstock_2667829057.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 What\u2019s happening in the brain?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Major development in the prefrontal cortex (decision\u2011making, planning, impulse control).<\/li>\n<li>Heightened emotional responses due to earlier\u2011developing limbic system.<\/li>\n<li>Teens seek independence, identity, and peer connections.<\/li>\n<li>Sleep, stress, and environment strongly influence learning and wellbeing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-244 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164148\/shutterstock_2673557159-300x237.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164148\/shutterstock_2673557159-300x237.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164148\/shutterstock_2673557159-768x606.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164148\/shutterstock_2673557159.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 How parents can support teenage brain development<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Encourage good sleep habits\u2014teens need 8\u201310 hours.<\/li>\n<li>Support independence while maintaining boundaries.<\/li>\n<li>Talk openly about emotions, friendships, and online life.<\/li>\n<li>Promote physical activity and balanced routines.<\/li>\n<li>Help them break tasks into manageable steps\u2014this supports executive function.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-250\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"29\" height=\"29\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19173237\/books-1673578_1280.png 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 29px) 100vw, 29px\" \/>Helpful Lealfets<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/A guide for parents of neurodivergent children\">A guide for parents of neurodivergent children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19172854\/Teenage-behaviour-and-changes-in-the-teenager-brain.docx\">Teenage behaviour and changes in the teenager brain<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\ud83c\udfa5 Suggested clips.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Decision making and the adolescent brain\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kvk4sqNPa4M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Brain Development in Teenagers\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dISmdb5zfiQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why the teenage brain has an evolutionary advantage\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/P629TojpvDU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-241 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164140\/shutterstock_2655332673-300x210.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164140\/shutterstock_2655332673-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164140\/shutterstock_2655332673-768x538.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/public\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/uploads\/sites\/20847\/2026\/03\/19164140\/shutterstock_2655332673.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Complete Brain Development \ud83c\udf1f Why Brain Development Matters Your child\u2019s brain grows faster from pregnancy to early primary school than at any other time in life. Experiences, relationships, play, and learning shape how the brain develops\u2014laying foundations for health, learning, behaviour, and wellbeing throughout life. Teenagers\u2019 brains are still under construction \u2014 especially the parts &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/brain-development\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Brain Development<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4925,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-172","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4925"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":255,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/172\/revisions\/255"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/ea\/parentalmentalhealthsite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}