Hey there! Do you remember me? If you do, it’s because you’re using one of the coolest and most powerful parts of your body: your brain! Your brain helps you see, hear, and understand everything around you. It’s not just powerful; it’s super important! Let’s learn more about this amazing part of our body.
A grown-up’s brain is about 16 centimeters long, which is as long as a dollar bill, and it weighs a little less than one and a half kilograms, like a bag of apples. If you’re a kid, your brain is still growing, so it’s a bit smaller. It’s about the size of a grapefruit and weighs less than a kilogram, similar to a liter of water.
Your brain looks a bit wrinkly, kind of like your fingers and toes when you’ve been in the bath too long. Scientists think these wrinkles help the brain work better. It’s grayish-white and soft, like gelatin. Because it’s so soft, your brain is protected by your skull, which is made of thick, hard bones.
Your brain is the main part of your body’s nervous system. It helps all the parts of your body work together by sending messages back and forth. It’s like the command center, deciding what to do with the messages it gets and telling your body how to react. For example, if your nose itches, your brain tells your hand to scratch it!
Messages between your brain and body move super fast, even faster than the fastest computer! Most of the time, you don’t even notice it happening. And guess what? Your brain never takes a break. Even when you’re asleep, it keeps your heart beating and lungs breathing. It also helps you react to unexpected sounds, like a loud noise.
Your brain plays a big role in your senses, like seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching. When you hear something, your ears send a message to your brain, which figures out what the sound is. Your brain also helps you remember things, like your favorite food. It remembers how it looks, smells, and tastes!
One of the brain’s most important jobs is to help you learn. You’ve already learned a lot since you were born, like talking and recognizing shapes and colors. As you grow, your brain will help you learn even more. To keep your brain healthy, wear a helmet when riding a bike, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise. And don’t forget to use your brain to think and learn!
Thanks for joining me on this brain adventure! If you have questions about how your body works or anything else, ask a grown-up to help you send an email to [email protected] or leave a comment. See you next time on SciShow Kids!
Brain Size Comparison: Gather different objects like a dollar bill, a bag of apples, a grapefruit, and a liter of water. Compare these objects to the size and weight of a brain as described in the article. Discuss with a friend or family member how your brain is similar to or different from these objects. Can you find other items around your home that are similar in size or weight to your brain?
Message Relay Game: Play a game to understand how fast your brain sends messages. Form a line with your friends or family. The first person whispers a simple message to the next person, and it continues down the line. The last person says the message out loud. Discuss how quickly and accurately the message traveled, just like how your brain sends messages to your body!
Senses Exploration: Go on a “senses walk” around your home or outside. Pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Afterward, draw or write about what you experienced. How did your brain help you understand and remember these sensations? Share your findings with someone and ask them about their experiences.
