The more you practice a movement, the better your cerebellum gets at controlling it — that’s why practice makes perfect!
Cerebellum - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Cerebellum For Kids
Your cerebellum develops different areas for different types of movement — one area for walking, another for writing, and so on!
The connections in your cerebellum become stronger every time you repeat a movement!
Fun Science Facts
Scientists discovered the cerebellum’s importance when they noticed that people with cerebellum injuries had trouble with balance and coordination!
The cerebellum has about 69 billion neurons — that’s more than all the stars we can see in the Milky Way galaxy!
Your cerebellum processes information faster than a Formula 1 race car can drive!
The cerebellum uses about 20% of your brain’s energy, even though it’s only 10% of its size!
Scientists have found that playing video games can help improve how well your cerebellum works!
The cerebellum is still developing new connections even when you’re 100 years old!
Your cerebellum can process information about movement before you’re even aware you want to move!
Connection to Other Body Parts
The cerebellum receives information from your inner ears to help you stay balanced!
Your cerebellum works with your eyes to help you track moving objects — like when you’re watching a butterfly flutter by!
The cerebellum connects to muscles throughout your entire body through special nerve pathways called cerebellar peduncles.
Your cerebellum communicates with the main part of your brain about 40 times every second!
The cerebellum gets information from pressure sensors in your feet (proprioceptors) to help you stay balanced while standing!
Your cerebellum works with your muscles to help you maintain good posture — it’s like having a built-in posture coach!
The cerebellum connects to your tongue muscles to help you speak clearly!
Your cerebellum receives signals from your joints to know where your body parts are in space!
Basic Composition
Your cerebellum has three main layers: an outer layer (cortex), a middle layer (white matter), and deep nuclei!
The cerebellum contains special cells called Purkinje cells that look like tiny trees with many branches!
The cerebellum’s white matter is made up of millions of nerve fibers covered in a special insulation called myelin!
Your cerebellum contains four deep nuclei that act like control centers for different types of movement!
The cerebellum’s surface layer contains more neurons than any other part of the brain!
Your cerebellum has special cells that produce chemicals called neurotransmitters to help send messages!
The cerebellum’s cells are arranged in a very precise pattern — like a tiny city with organized streets!
Your cerebellum contains blood vessels that would stretch for several miles if laid end to end!
The cerebellum’s cells form circuits that work like tiny computers processing movement information!
