Brain Slides

1.Increased efficiency over time 2.Individual variation in development 3.Prime times for learning some skills 4.Plasticity AND A WARNING!!!

The brain becomes increasingly efficient over time.

Efficiency: Lateralization (brain clip here) Cortex (part of forebrain) Divided into 2 hemispheres with some lateralization: Usual functions: Left—analysis of information (reading, math problem-solving, linguistic) Right—synthesis of information (visual analysis, nonlinguistic) Each hemisphere receives info from and controls opposite side of body Myth—a person is NOT left or right brained—both used in complex functions Image from morphnix.com

Efficiency: Specialization of Parts The various parts of the cortex become specialized over time Both nature and nurture influence specialization success Order of specialization linked to times children have various learning capacities There is some plasticity in the brain-especially when younger

Brain development follows universal patterns, with individual variation in timing of development “... My students’ knowledge was actually very different than my own,” Zull

Variations in timing Sex differences in brain development (Gurien and Stevens) Individual variation in timing (Raising Cain) – Health – Genetic influences (film clip, Adolescent Brain) – Role of experience (emotion/motivation and learning)—Rafe clip here Variations last throughout childhood and adolescence

Variations & Risk: Adolescent Substance Abuse Well-developed limbic system (hindbrain) produces strong biological urgens Incomplete forebrain limits self-control and problem-solving Genetic predisposition results in individual differences in handling substances

Differentiated Learning Individual learning preferences (not learning styles), based on experiences Learners usually use multiple pathways during learning—reading example

Some skills are best learned at certain points in brain development. Related idea: Brains are more vulnerable at certain times/adapt & change more quickly at certain ages (film clip-The Child’s Brain.)

Sensitive Periods Times when the brain is “wired” to learn certain tasks or information Examples: – Subtle sound discrimination in first 6-8 months of life – Increased ability to learn language (2-4 years) – Increased ability to self-regulate during childhood Learning experiences should be matched to learning capacities—not too early, not too late. Sensory periods are often overrated or over- simplified.

Some examples of skills linked (in part) to brain development Found in text, don’t take time to write here-- Age of rapid vocabulary growth Age at which child is ready to read Age at which children can multi-task Ability to control attention Ability to pull information together logically Ability to do abstract reasoning

Point 4: Plasticity allows for growth despite early deprivation (resilience?)

Plasticity The brain can make new connections to accommodate for weak or pruned connections Experiences strengthen weak connections (especially hot cognition) Plasticity explains the value of such teaching practices as: – Speech-Language interventions – Special education approaches – Repeated practice of difficult physical skills