Stimulation and brain development

Our brain is divided into two equal halves or hemispheres. The left hemisphere is mainly responsible for logic, reasoning, cognition and analytical skills like language and mathematics. The cortex of the right hemisphere is responsible for development of artistic characteristics like music, dance, painting, poetry etc., Hippocampus is concerned with social interactions, emotions and memory while pineal gland is believed to be the seat of spirituality.

Any activity that stimulates both the hemispheres simultaneously promotes development of global intelligence. The stimulation of the baby should begin in the womb. It is well-known that the fetus responds to its mother’s heart beat and voice. We have several examples of learning in the womb in Indian mythology. Abhimanyu learnt in his mother’s womb, how to enter the chakravyuha when his father Arjuna was explaining the principles and techniques entering into the chakravyuha to his pregnant wife Subadhra.

Mother should give positive suggestions to her baby whenever she is in a relaxed mood and before going to sleep. The fetus is most alert during the evening and night between eight o’ clock until midnight. It seems that when mother lies down for rest, her baby wakes up and kicks around. Mother can call her baby by his pet name and say for example, “this is your mummy, I love you Karan, I adore you, and you are going to be a smart baby. You are going to be a kind, generous and compassionate human being”. Mother should repeat these suggestions at night till she goes to sleep. She can also hum a soothing song, recite a nursery rhyme or story of valour or sing a lullaby. After 5 months of pregnancy, mother should rock gently and slowly in a rocking chair at the rate of 20 rocks per minute several times in a day, it is likely to enhance neuro-motor development and co-ordination ability of the baby.