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Conception begins with the process of fertilization. This occurs when the sperm penetrates the ovum and disintegrates. The combination of sperm chromosomes and ovum material creates the zygote (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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The zygote contains 46 chromosomes pairs; half from the mother and half from the father. One pair are sex chromosomes, which determines the sex of the zygote (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Mitosis occurs, creating multiple cells with matching sets of chromosomes. Over a span of two weeks growth continues until implantation in the uterus occurs. An embryo has now been formed to continue growth and develop into a fetus (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Neurulation occurs and forms a neural tube. This begins the development of the central nervous system. As cells continue to build, skin is formed and the neural tube begins to curve. The top of the curve bulges to form the hindbrain, midbrain, and forebrain (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Sensory organs are developed during this time. At 15 weeks sounds are heard and at 25 weeks the fetus can open and close the eyes, as well as turn towards a light source. These developments allow the fetus to learn sound and patterns of language, as well as receive light stimulation. This aides in further brain development (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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After birth, neuron development continues up to 12 months. These neural stem cells, as well as the growth of synapses between them results in the growth of learning during the first few months. Most of this growth occurs in the auditory and visual cortices (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Neural pruning occurs to get rid of unnecessary neurons which migrated incorrectly or did not make proper connections, which means they would not be helpful in further development (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Both the number and strength of the connections between neurons is most important in brain development after birth. The strength of these contacts is dependent on genetics and epigenetics as well as the prenatal period, nutrition, and postnatal environment. Ultimately, development is based on input all the from conception to birth and thereafter (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

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Broderick, P.C. & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc.