Early Brain Development
Early Brain Development
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Neurons, the basic working units of the brain, communicate with each other to transmit information in the nervous system.
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Initially, an infant's brain consists of around 100 billion neurons.
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The development of the brain at the earliest stages involves the formation of synapses.
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From birth to age three (a period of rapid cognitive growth), the number of synapses dramatically increases through a process known as synaptic pruning.
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Experience-dependent growth holds that the formation of synapses and strengthening of neural pathways is influenced by individual experiences and environmental stimuli.
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Right after birth, during sensitive periods, certain experiences will have a greater impact on the development of neural pathways and the brainβs basic functions.
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The term plasticity refers to the brain's ability to change its physical structure and function based on input from the environment.
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Gross motor skills (like crawling and running) and fine motor skills (like grasping objects) develop as different areas of the brain mature.
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The frontal lobes, responsible for higher cognitive functions such as problem-solving and self-control, are one of the last areas to mature.
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Bilingual children show increased grey matter in the areas of the brain associated with language, suggesting that early experiences (such as the acquisition of more than one language) can physically shape the brain.
Recap: Early brain development involves the formation and pruning of synapses, largely based on individual experiences and stimuli. Development during sensitive periods, particularly in infancy, can have a profound impact on an individual's abilities, influencing everything from motor skills to higher cognitive functions.