The Structure of the Brain

1
The Structure of the Brain

• Brain development happens faster in the first
  year than in any other time of life.
• Environment impacts brain development.
• Newborns learn about the world through their
  senses.

2
The Structure of the Brain

• The cerebrum, thalamus, cerebellum, pituitary
  gland, spinal cord, and brain stem make up the
  brain.
• Neurons transmit information in the brain and
  nervous system.

3
Developing the Brain

• More dendrites indicate increased learning.
• An increased number of neural pathways results
  from sensory input.
• Each childs brain gets organized in a unique
  way, depending on his or her experiences.

4
Developing the Brain

• Repetitive action causes the neurons to work
  together so that action becomes easier.
• The brain can be reorganized.

5
Developing the Brain

• The brain continues to develop through responses
  to lifes experiences.
• Caregivers can increase the speed of brain
  development with a stimulating environment.

How can a stimulating environment encourage brain
development?
6
Early Learning Abilities

• Signs of intellectual growth include
• remembering experiences.
• understanding cause and effect.
• making associations.
• paying attention.

7
Early Learning Abilities

• Infants are sensitive to sound.
• Touch is an important way to communicate love to
  an infant.
• A concept is a general category of objects and
  information.

8
Periods of Learning

• Psychologist Jean Piaget had a great influence on
  what is known about how children learn.
• During the sensorimotor period, babies learn
  mainly through their senses.
• At each of the six stages of the sensorimotor
  period, a baby has specific intellectual
  abilities.

9
Encouraging Learning

• Babies learn more and faster when their
  caregivers comfort, talk to, smile at, and play
  with them.

10
Encouraging Learning

• Encouragement to learn relies on the time,
  attention, and knowledge given to the child.
• A caregiver can help a baby learn by talking to
  and playing games with the baby.
• Showing pleasure and giving praise encourages the
  baby to try new things.

How can playing games help a baby learn?
11
Encouraging Learning

• Showing love helps build self-confidence.
• Babies communicate by crying, moving, gesturing,
  and making special sounds.
• Reading to children helps them learn that sounds
  have meaning.

12
The Importance of Play

• Playtime is essential for intellectual and
  physical development.
• Babies need different toys as they grow and
  develop.

13
neuron
A nerve cell.
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14
neural pathway
The link between neurons.
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15
cortex
Part of the brains cerebrum its growth permits
more complex learning.
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16
axon
The connection between neurons that transmits
instructions from the cell body to another neuron.
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17
myelin
A waxy, protein-based substance that coats axons
and helps transmit information from one nerve
cell to another.
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18
dendrite
A branchlike feature at the end of each axon that
receives the messages from other neurons.
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19
synapse
The tiny gap between the dendrites where messages
are transmitted from one neuron to another.
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20
neurotransmitter
A chemical released by the axon. The
neurotransmitter acts as a messenger between the
neurons.
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21
perception
The ability to learn from sensory information.
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22
attention span
The length of time a person can concentrate on a
task without getting bored.
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23
concept
A general category of objects and information
that can also include abstract ideas.
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24
sensorimotor period
Piagets first stage of learning and lasts from
birth to about age two.
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25
object permanence
The concept that objects will continue to exist,
even when they are out of sight.
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26
imaginative play
Pretending seeing or hearing things that might
happen but have not happened yet.
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27
symbolic thinking
The use of words and numbers to stand for ideas.
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28
age appropriate
Something is suitable for the age and individual
needs of a child.
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29
childproof
To take steps to protect the child from possible
dangers.
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30
manipulate
To work with the hands.
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31
function
Event.
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32
receptor
A receiver a nerve ending that is sensitive to
stimuli.
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33
elicit
To bring forth to produce some sort of reaction
or response.
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34
determined
Reasoned to bring to light or disclose.
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35
responsiveness
Reactions, usually strong or favorable, to
something.
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36
hazard
Something that is potentially dangerous.
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