When Does Learning Begin?

There has been research done that indicates an embryo is capable of learning, while in the womb. For those that dispute this fact, the question becomes, “When does learning begin?” If you understand that learning and cognitive development is the process of constructing thought processes or forming perceptions, you might want to re-think your beliefs of the proper answer to this question.

Prenatal learning programs are based on certain facts regarding pregnancy because knowing the answer to “when does learning begin?” can be helpful to starting a baby’s development out, before they are born. Prenatal learning recognizes that a baby’s brain starts to form cells during the third week of pregnancy, long before some mothers realize they are pregnant. During weeks 13 to 16 of the development, it is possible to detect brain waves in the embryo.

Any mother that has read to their baby will tell you that it seems the unborn baby is recognizing certain sounds during their second trimester and gives the expectant mother clear signs, such as kicking or moving around, becoming more active. “When does learning begin?” Some parents don’t want to take their chances that their baby’s development can suffer because they haven’t started nurturing the learning process early enough.

Have you heard about studies performed by the Institute for Psychology at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the University of Amsterdam? In this research, it was discovered that an embryo has the capability to hear things, three months before they are born. If it is possible to start teaching a newborn before birth, their development could be more comprehensive.

In the research, two-day old newborns were monitored, while rock rhythms were played to detect brain activities, for comparison to embryos. When a downbeat was deleted, it was indicated that the newborns brain activity anticipated the downbeat and emitted electrical responses that proved it had “learned” what to expect. This might seem too scientific, but when the same principle was applied to embryos in the womb, this same change could be detected.

What this means is that the auditory senses are already working inside of an embryo’s formative mind. Have you ever had a close friend whose baby recognized your voice from the moment it was born? This has to make you wonder, “When does learning begin?”

For expectant parents that read bedtime stories to their developing baby, prenatal learning advice can be helpful. Based on the research that has been done, simple and repetitive rhythms can encourage brain development in an unborn child. Programs that are on the market and any you might be thinking about purchasing should include this type of simplistic approach. Does this mean you can’t attempt to start teaching your developing baby, without these aids? Certainly, there are many parents that play music, read books, recite poems and read math flash cards to their developing baby.

When does learning begin? That is a question that might have a variety of answers, but certainly your child starts learning from the time they are born and now there is research that indicates it might be before that. The best solution might be to go on the assumption that it is never too early to start developing your baby’s mind, to give it the best advantage. Whether you believe the research or not, it never hurts to realize your developing baby might be able to hear things before it is born and a learning environment is something you have to nurture!