OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaYour brain is in charge of everything your body does! It tells your legs to walk, your mouth to talk, and your eyes to blink. It even controls things you do not think about, like breathing and making your heart beat.
Your brain is wrinkly and pinkish-gray, and it looks a bit like a walnut. It sits safe inside your skull, which is like a hard helmet made of bone. When you learn something new, like reading or riding a bike, your brain makes new connections. The more you practice, the stronger those connections get!
Even though your brain only weighs about three pounds, it uses a lot of energy. That is why eating healthy food, drinking water, and getting enough sleep are so important for your brain. Taking care of your brain helps you think, learn, and remember better!
- Your brain never stops working, even when you are dreaming!
- Your brain has about 86 billion nerve cells that send messages to each other.
- Your brain uses about 20 percent of all the energy your body makes, even though it is only about 2 percent of your body weight!
