Development of an Infant Brain

Frontal Lobe Development

The frontal lobe just behind the forehead controls walking, talking, socialization and understanding. This side of the brain progresses between ages 6 to 12 months. The left side controls language, and the right side special abilities. In girls, the left side is thought to develop sooner than in boys, and vice versa.

Parietal Lobe Development

The parietal lobe of the brain helps babies' fingers learn how to grasp between the ages of 2 to 12 months. This is the side of the brain which also controls sight. Initially, babies are unable to focus past 8 to 15 inches. Over time, vision improves, and they are able to focus on stationary and moving objects. By 8 months, their vision has 20/40 equivalency.
This is the part of the brain which also governs understanding. At about a year, babies recognize simple commands and may also be able to respond.

Occipital Lobe Development

The occipital lobe is another spot of the brain, located in the back of the head, which takes care of vision. In the first year, babies can see colors and develop depth perception. Books and mobiles in bright, primary colors are excellent for strengthening and stimulating vision in the first year.

Temporal Lobe Development

Hearing, speaking and the ability to be independent are skills which are acquired with this part of the brain. From the moment babies are born, their hearing is acute. The sense of smell is also strong in babies from birth. Within 10 days, they recognize the scent of their mother's milk.
Babies begin learning vocalization in the womb. It continues from early age, when they learn to cry as a way to communicate. Eventually babies babble and then learn to form words. Reading to babies encourages language development, as well as improves listening skills.
Babies gain their sense of independence and learn that they can make independent movements of parts of their body or move their entire body.

Cerebellum Development

The cerebellum, located at the back of the head, helps with movement and muscle coordination. Activities such as crawling, walking, head control, sitting and rolling over develop during infancy. Research indicates cardiovascular activities may also be developed from the cerebellum.

The Brain Stem

An infant's brain stem is the portion of the brain that is most developed at birth. It controls emotion and also the crying, suckling and startling reflexes. It also controls basic life functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and sleep.