Neurodevelopment

Question 1

Brain Development

Answer 1

• fastest organ to reach adult size
• 50% at 2yr
• 70% at 4yr
• 90% at 6yr
• growth spurt - 3rd trimester to age 2

Question 2

Neurons

Answer 2

transmits signals, needed for communication

• myelination= production of myelin, 50% of brain volume, improves info transfer, produced very quickly up until age 2
• synaptogenesis= formation of synapses bw neurons, stimulation imp. for development
  - pruning- removal of extras synapses to increases efficiency of neuron transmission

Question 3

Cerebral Cortex

Answer 3

long development, 85% of brain wgt
*discontinuous - growth in spurts dues to what you should be learning at that age

ex: audition/vision ((1st yr), language area (2-3), frontal lobe (10-12)

Question 4

Sensitive/Critical Period

Answer 4

*stimulation is vital in these periods or development will not occur

Question 5

Kitten Study

Answer 5

*deprived from light 3-4 days= permanent visual problems
*deprived for week = blind for life
stimulation= development of visual centers

Question 6

Rat study

Answer 6

rats in enriched vs impoverished environments

*impoverished=decreases brain size

Question 7

Orphanage Study

Answer 7

*longer kids spent in orphanage, higher likelihood of cognitive impairment and more severe
0-6 -little impairment
6-24- more impairment
2-4 yrs- highest impairment

Question 8

experience-expectant brain growth

Answer 8

• experience happens in accordance for what brain expects to happen at that period
• light, ability to touch and see, explore environment
• *NORMAL STIMULATION

Question 9

Experience-dependent brain growth

Answer 9

• brain develops in accordance to one’s own personal experiences
  
  • have certain neural strengths based off what you spend time on

Question 10

Stimulation

Answer 10

Too much or too little stimulation to infant can lead to sub-optimal development