Brain Development
What skills areas appear in the extended periods of brain development?
1. Awareness/ regulation of emotions 2. Higher order thinking 3. Planning, control of impulses
What are the general components of a neuron?
1. Dendrites 2. Cell body 3. Axon 4. Glia
What is the development of the cerebral cortex?
1. Largest area of the human brain 2. Judgment is last to develop 3. Development starts at the back of the brain to the front 4. Different parts develop at different rates
What is synaptic pruning?
Connections that aren't used are destroyed in order to strengthen the existing synapses
What is overproduction?
During 10-18 weeks of gestation there is an overproduction of neurons/synapses
What are excitatory neurotransmitters?
Encourages messages to be sent between neurons
What are inhibitory neurotransmitters?
Prevents/discourages messages to be sent between neurons
What is myelination?
Produces the Myelin sheath
What are neurotransmitters?
chemicals that transmit messages between neurons (levels need to be "just right")
What is a Experience-dependent neural connection?
experience creates new synaptic connections
What is an Experience-expectant neural connection?
experience strengthens existing synaptic connections
What skill areas appear in the sensitive period of brain development?
senses and language
What is a synapse?
space between the axon of one neuron and the dendrite of another (they do not touch)
What is Myelin?
waxy, insulating material created by the glia
