chapter 9 intellectual development in infants. chapter objectives describe how a baby’s...
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Chapter 9
Intellectual Development in Infants
Chapter Objectives Describe how a baby’s experiences increase
brain function Explain how the brain becomes organized List four abilities that show intellectual growth
in infants Identify specific abilities that babies learn
during Piaget’s first period of learning Name five ways caregivers can encourage
learning Discuss how to choose toys appropriate for
babies of different ages
Chapter 9.1
Early Brain Development
The Structure of the Brain A neuron is a nerve cell
Links between these neurons are formed immediately
Neural pathways are the links that develop between neurons The pathways “wire” the brain so it can control
different body functions and thinking processes Created quickly Maximum number of links is reached by age 10
Parts of the Brain Each section controls a specific function or job
of the body One of the most important parts : Cortex
Part of the brains cerebellum and its growth permits complex learning
As babies experience more input from the world, they brains respond by making more connections As caregivers hold, play, and talk to an infant, the
baby actually uses these experiences to build the brains capacity
Parts of the Brain: Cerebrum Receives information
from senses and motor activities
Controls speech, memory, and problem solving
Most activities occur in the outer layer Cerebral cortex
(cortex)
Parts of the Brain: Pituitary Gland Secretes hormones
that control Growth Metabolism Sexual Development
Parts of the Brain: Brain Stem Controls
Involuntary activities Breathing Heart rate Blood pressure
Parts of the Brain: Spinal Cord Transmits
information from the body to the brain and vise versa
Controls simple reflexes that do not involve the brain
Parts of the Brain: Cerebellum Controls
Muscular coordination Balance Posture
Parts of the Brain: Thalamus Relays sensory
information from other parts of the brain to the cerebral cortex
How the Brain Works Neurons are connected
by axons An axon is the connection
between neurons that transmits instructions from the cell body to another neuron
Axons are coated with a fatty substance called myelin Myelin helps transmit
messages Dendrites branch out
each axon to receive the electrical messages
How the Brain Works Dendrites and axons
do not touch A synapse is the tiny
gap between the dendrites where messages are transmitted
Neurotransmitter is a chemical released by the axon Chemicals look for a
dendrite to attach to but they can only attach to specific receptors
Developing the Brain More pathways give the brain more power
Gives the brain more flexibility The increase connection is the direct result of
sensory input The more the baby interacts with the world, the
more complex the brain’s “writing” becomes
How the Brain is Organized Organization is based on the particular
experiences unique to that child As connections between dendrites and axons
grow stronger, neurons link together They become systems of nerve cells that control
certain groups Systems of neurons work together to influence
how babies see, hear, think, and remember This is how learning takes place Humans learn new behaviors all their life
How the Brain is Organized Connections between
neurons are not permanent
They can be broken when not used often This is called pruning
At the same time connections are being lost, new ones are being made This is called branching
The branching and pruning process helps the brain focus on useful connections and then acquire more skills
Stimulating Infant Brain Development
Speeding the Brain’s Work When a baby is born only
those nerves that control basic instincts, like nursing, have myelin coating
Other axons get a coating of myelin as they child grows Process continues until age
20 Myelin is added at different
times to different areas Which axon receives the
fatty myelin may explain why some children have difficulty learning certain tasks
Myelin is crucial to the speed in which nerves function
Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the absence of myelin plays a role
Chapter 9.2
Intellectual Development During the First Year
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