7 Shocking Facts About The Development Of Your Child’s Prefrontal Cortex

Have you heard talk of your child’s prefrontal cortex area of the brain? Maybe you have. Maybe you haven’t, but I’m willing to bet, your child’s prefrontal cortex development has played a roll in some of your frustrations.

Have you wished you didn’t have to repeat yourself so often to your children? Has your child ever walked up to a shelf of books and one by one dropped all the books to the floor? There’s nothing like hearing the sound of the toys you just organized into labeled tubs dumping onto one heaping pile in the playroom! Do you have a child who asks, “Why?” every time you tell them something?

Guess what. Your child’s prefrontal cortex development is likely the reason for these behaviors.

When you learn about the functions of the prefrontal cortex and lack of development in children’s prefrontal cortex, you will better understand your child’s actions and emotions when you understand your child’s prefrontal cortex. As a result, it will become much easier for you to have empathy for your child when their behavior does not meet your expectations. You will understand why it is so important to use positive parenting. 

It benefits parents to know what their children are up against in brain development, so you can align your expectations of your child accordingly. I know it changed the legacy of our family!

There is plenty of information out about the child’s prefrontal cortex, but I have carved out the information I believe will benefit your family the most. I will show you the traits that affect the child’s behaviors the most. The traits that children tend to get in trouble for. 

Secondly, I even share actions you can take to ensure your child has a prefrontal cortex that thrives. Finally, if you read to the end, you will find a letter to you from your child. Surprise!

What Is The Job Of The Prefrontal Cortex?

The human brain develops from back to front, so the prefrontal cortex develops lastly. This part of the brain manages processes such as:

• reasoning
• logic
• problem-solving
• planning 
• memory
• focus and attention
• developing and carrying out goals
• stopping your impulses
• developing your personality

So you can see that if the child’s prefrontal cortex is the last to develop, a lack of these skills could make meeting adult expectations a challenge in some cases.

Yes, it’s that important. The frontal lobe matures in spurts and takes years to develop. Basically, the skills the brain uses to think, learn, read, remember, pay attention, and solve problems.

And get this, the brain is so active in childhood that half of the calories consumed by the average 5-year-old are used to fuel the brain. 90-95% of brain growth happens in the first 5 years.(source)

7 Characteristics of the Development of A Child’s Prefrontal Cortex That Have a Profound Impact on Behavior: 

#1. The human prefrontal cortex is not fully developed until around the age of 25!!! 

Some researchers go as far as 30.  I was so glad to hear this. I’ve always looked for an excuse for my behavior in college! Just saying.

Now take a moment to think back to the last few times you’ve had to correct your child. Think about what the behaviors were. Go back up to the 9 bullets that tell you what the prefrontal cortex plays a role in.  Are things starting to make sense?

#2. Children believe that everyone shares their thoughts, beliefs, or feelings. 

This is not selfish. Young children are not able to understand the points of view of others. They may realize others’ feelings, but it is a challenge for them to realize what should be done about these feelings. For example, if Dad is upset, his child may give him a pacifier. This cognitive skill is not fully developed until age 11.  (source) 

#3.

When you ask your child to stop doing what they’re doing and come do something you want them to do, it’s a really big deal for them to stop and come. The child’s prefrontal cortex is still developing the ability to switch from what they want to what you want. 

In fact, you are counting on your child wanting to please you in order to follow your request. This is another reason for you to stay connected to your child. The more you are connected in your relationship with your child the more they want to please you.

Every time your child makes the decision to follow your request it strengthens this area of the child’s brain. She has to make the decision on her own to develop self-discipline. If you make her do it or pick her up and move her to where you want her to be, it doesn’t count.

#4. 

When children 5 years old and younger encounter a situation, they focus on only one aspect or object. When multiple events or objects of importance become involved, their brains are challenged.

Put on your shoes. Then, get your bag. Then load up in the car.

You may notice that your child does the first step and thinks their done. That’s because they focus on one aspect. You have to scaffold them up to multi-step directions.

Or you may have experienced your child zeroing in on one characteristic of their dad. His glasses. So they’re constantly pulling at his glasses. When the child looks at Dad, their brain zooms in on one aspect or object on Dad. And also, children are very curious!

#5.  Children’s thinking is super concrete.

It is not until ages 7-11 that children are even beginning to develop the ability to think logically about concrete events according to Piaget. The expectations should be lower when speaking hypothetically to them. 

An example of this, in the beginning stages, a child knows an item such as a couch and ottoman are furniture. To move to a higher level of thinking would be for them to generalize on their own that these items are very useful.

#6. The prefrontal cortex matures lastly. 

For this reason, adolescence (10-19) is the easiest time of life to develop an addiction. This is a time when kids start to experiment with things. Though they may believe they’re just going to try something it can become a habit and then an addiction due to lack of logic, reasoning and impulse control.

Explaining and sharing with your kid about the development of a child’s prefrontal cortex may help them think twice about trying things that can become addictive.

And Last But Not Least Teenage Brain Development:

#7.  The middle prefrontal cortex RE-DEVELOPS during the teenage years. 

WHAT??? What???

Yes! During these years, this area of the brain will re-calibrate and master each of the skills AGAIN. You may notice some of the same behaviors in your child that you experienced with him during the very early years. 

You may find that your child goes through stages during the teenage years that he skipped in the early years. Examples: chewing on things, throwing a fit when you say no, clothing issues, eating issues. Yes, this is due to brain development.  Listen to a TED Talk about it here.

Ways To Talk To Your Child In Order To Successfully Develop Your Child’s Prefrontal Cortex:

1. Acknowledge your child’s perspective and empathize. Say: I know it’s hard for you to stop playing and come put on your shoes, but it’s time for us to leave now.
   
2. Allow expression. Say: You’re having a hard time this morning. It seems things aren’t going your way and it’s gotten you frustrated. It’s still not OK to yell at us. Tell us you are frustrated, and we will support you.
   
3. Listen to your child’s feelings. Say: I can tell you’re mad because you told me that you hate me. You are mad that I said no more cookies. You could say, “I don’t like Mom’s decision.” It’s OK not to like my decision. It’s not OK to yell at me. Those words hurt.
   
4. Teach your child problem-solving. Say: You’re disappointed because it’s raining, and we didn’t get to go to the park as planned. How about we think of some alternatives that would be just as fun.
5. 5. Show patience in their moments of struggle. Say: You’re so mad your brother demolished your Lego creation. I understand, and it’s not OK to hit. Tell your brother how you feel.
6. 6. Be there for your child during these moments. Say: You’ve got big emotions. Would you like a hug? I bet a hug would make you feel better. Let Mom hug you and you can cry if you need to.
7. 7. Try to control your “upsetness” when a child is acting like a child. Say: Wow. You’re really feeling silly aren’t you. Silliness is fun. You must want me to play with you. Is that true? How about some roughhousing.

Parental Reminders For When Your Child’s Behavior Starts To Get On Your Nerves

• In trying times, repeat to yourself, “His frontal cortex is underdeveloped.  His frontal cortex is underdeveloped…”
• As Dr. Joseph Chilton Pearce said, “We must be what we want our children to become.”  Self-regulation. Get you some.
• When your child’s behavior really gets your blood boiling, breathe deeply and remind yourself This is not an emergency.

**Remember you have 18 years with your child. Give yourself and your child grace! Don’t stress if mastery hasn’t happened by kindergarten. And I’m referring to you as well. Our cognitive development is a journey we take with our children. 

I could continue, but my objective is not to stress you out. Awareness of your child’s developmental stages, and making a conscious effort to stay in control of your emotions positively affect your child’s development. Dr. Laura Markham says that our #1 responsibility as parents is to pay attention to our emotions, but not to act on them.

A healthy prefrontal cortex that’s integrated with the rest of the brain is a much greater predictor of success in life than IQ. A healthy prefrontal cortex should be high on our wish list for your children. (Source)

Original Post: This-n-That Parenting by Shelly Stasney