How Your Brain Develops And What You Can Do to Boost It
By: Bec Harris
Claire Cox, Director from Loving for Life, to unpacks the fascinating topic of brain development. From risk assessment to multiple intelligences, she explored what’s happening in our heads and how we can help it along.
When Does the Brain Fully Develop?
Claire explained that brain development continues well into our twenties. “For men, it’s around 25 or even a bit later. For women, it’s earlier maybe 22 or 23.”
When asked why it differs between genders, Claire admitted, “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly. It’s part of the maturing process it just happens quicker for women.”
Although the brain reaches full size in early adolescence, function takes longer. “The last parts to develop are things like risk assessment and planning,” Claire said. “Really important things!”
How Can We Boost Brain Growth?
Claire encouraged young people to turbocharge their brain development by staying curious. “Feed it lots of information, different activities, and new experiences,” she said. “During adolescence, the brain is more plastic, meaning it can learn faster.”
This brain flexibility explains why kids pick up languages, music, or skills more quickly. “If you want to learn a new hobby or skill, it’s easier before 25,” she added.
Unfortunately, plasticity works both ways. “You can also lock in bad habits during this stage,” Claire warned. “They’re harder to shake later because they were set up at a critical time.”
Discovering Your Type of Intelligence
If we haven’t felt “booksmart” growing up does that mean we are not smart at all?
Claire says no. “We need all types of intelligence in society,” she said. “Creative thinkers, builders, fixers, deep thinkers we need them all.”
Not everyone learns the same way. “I’m a very creative learner,” Claire shared. “Lectures work for me, but if I just read it, I zone out.”
Categories like math, music, sport, socialising, and even existential thinking are considered forms of intelligence according to Claire. “Athletes, dancers people who can use their body in amazing ways that’s a type of intelligence too.”
Helping Kids Grow Smarter
For parents, Claire had simple advice: expose your kids to everything.
“Give them the opportunity to try different activities. That’s how you discover their strengths,” she said. “What we’re passionate about is often what we’re good at.”
Whether you’re 17 or 37, one thing’s clear your brain is amazing. And with the right tools, it can keep growing in ways you never expected.
Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.
Feature image: Canva
