1. MLE 5110
Brain Development
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

2. The Brain Connection
These neurons make connections with other neurons through _______, a point at which ________ impulses pass from one neuron to another (via _______________).
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

3. Synapses
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

4. The Brain Connection The more stimulation children receive...
in their environment, the more they can _______ with the things around them.
the more ________ connections made.
the more _________ that are formed.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

5. Neurons ________ create the connections themselves.
Cannot ______ themselves.
And the ______ of connections is the essence of _______.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

6. Learning
________ connections “grow” and form more connections just from the process of _______ _______…
It does not matter to the brain whether the answer is _______ or not!
Feedback keeps the brain _____-_________ but it is the process rather than the one correct response that matters.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

7. Learning At birth each neuron has approx. _____ synapses
At 2 years of age, there are approx. _______ synapses.
The process of ________ coating the neuronal connections _____ ___ the signals enormously.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

8. Early Brain Development
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

9. Enhancement vs. Extinction
Neural connections are maintained and strengthened by _________ _________.
…lost by ______ of activation.
“Use it, or _____ it!”
The environment you provide your students must be one that allows them to have _________ with highly ___________ materials and ideas.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

10. Rats raised with toys and other stimuli grow ____ percent more _____ than rats deprived of such stimuli.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

11. The process of forming new neuronal connections is ____ ______ during ________.
Even young children who have experienced extensive _____ _______ have adjusted.
Some believe that logical-________ intelligence must peak early in young adulthood.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

12. You are teaching at a person’s most _____ ____ of brain development.
Every day in the classroom must be a day of _____ _________ for each child.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

13. Various Parts of the Brain
1. ___________ – recalls recent experiences/new info
2. ________ – emotional responses
3. Frontal lobes of _______ – problem solving, planning, understand behavior of others, restrain our impulses
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

14. Left Side of the Brain
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

15. Various Parts of the Brain
4. ________ areas – hearing, speech, & language
5. _________ – balance, body movements, coordination, muscles
6. _______ ______ – transfers info from one side of brain to the other.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

16. Brain Organization & Specialization
The cerebrum of the human brain is divided into two halves by a deep fissure creating the ____ & _____ hemispheres.
Left hemisphere controls the ______ side of the body, & vice versa.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

17. Left Hemisphere
Controls _______ abilities (spoken & written language), and positive emotion.
Acts as a “serial processor” that processes data in a _________, analytical manner.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

18. Has more to do with ____, ________, and ______ thinking.
Left Hemisphere
Has more to do with ____, ________, and ______ thinking.
Comprehends _____ (sentence structure) & ________.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

19. Right Hemisphere
Controls _____ & _____ info, as well as negative _______, such as distress.
Acts as a _______ processor that processes data in terms of _______ and _______.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

20. Has more to do with musical and artistic __________.
Right Hemisphere
Has more to do with musical and artistic __________.
Better at figuring out a story’s ________ and _________.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

21. The two ___________ are connected via the corpus callosum.
Brain Lateralization
The specialization of the two hemispheres is known as _____ ___________.
The two ___________ are connected via the corpus callosum.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

22. The two must work together as _____.
Brain Lateralization
The two hemispheres begin to specialize in function by ___ __ (some believe before birth but not complete until adolescence).
The two must work together as _____.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

23. Brain Lateralization
Some research suggests that children with reading problems do not show normal __________ ________.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

24. Neuron Specialization
_____ _____ “commit” to a _____ function by a specific age…thus, injuries early in life can be remedied to some degree…but not so after __________ occurs.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

25. For example:
By __ years of age, children tend to show a hand preference, possibly showing indication of a more _______ hemisphere.
Hand preference determined by age __.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

26. Perceptual Development
_______ perception
Taste, smell, & _____
These are often referred to as the _________.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

27. Habituation
A _________ in response to a stimulus after _________ exposure to it.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

28. Onset of Puberty
Defined: period in which a young person become ______ of ______ ___________.
For females this is referred to as “________”, due to the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

29. Causes of Puberty Onset of hormones: ___________ (anabolic steroids!)
Levels controlled by the _______ _____ which is under the control of the ____________ (human thermostat)
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

30. Increase in hormones produces:
_______ sex characteristics
Changes in _______ (testes & ovaries)
____________ of egg and sperm
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

31. Increase in hormones produces:
________ sex characteristics
Changes in genitals & breast
Growth of “______” hair
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

32. When Does Puberty Begin?
Girls can begin well before the age of ___
___% white females; ___% African Americans started by age 8!
The avg. age of onset of menstruation has changed little…12.8; 6 mo. earlier for African Americans.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

33. When Does Puberty Begin?
Boys tend to mature __ years behind girls.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

34. Factors Influencing the Onset of Puberty
_____ – better _____ mean earlier maturating and _____ sized adolescents
Teenagers need to be told that
_________
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

35. Effects of Early Maturation
Can cause _______ consequences for girls.
Timing difficulty; “out of ____” …no one likes to be singled out.
Treated differently by _____.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

36. General Effects of Early Maturation
Enhances relationships at first, then tends to lead to ____ self-esteem, poor ____-image, _________, anxiety, & _______ disorders.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

37. Early maturing girls are likely
To be “________” than their classmates.
To choose to associate with _____ peers.
To have problems in school later on
To experience early _______ ___________
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

38. Early maturing girls
That choose to associate with peers their own age are ____ likely to experience long-term _____ adjustment problems.
The effects of early maturity are partly due to the ______ girls choose to keep.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

39. Early maturing girls
The effects of early maturity in girls are less likely to be found when girls attend _____-____, instead of coeducational, schools.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

40. Effects of Early Maturation on Boys
Tends to produce _______ affects, during school years, for boys.
________ self-esteem, favorable self-image, fewer psychological problems, & higher peer ____________.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

41. Effects of Early Maturation on Boys
Is treated more ________ by adults than peers.
Can become at-risk for engaging in _________ or antisocial behavior if choosing to affiliate with _______ peers.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

42. Effects of Early Maturation on Boys
Ironically,
Early maturing males tend to be more _________, more traditional & less _______ after high school.
______ maturing males tend to be more _______ and better able to ______.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

43. Special Health Concerns
Eating disorders:
_________ (10-15%)
Teenagers need to be told that potato chips, French fries, and pizza are NOT a main course!
_______ ______ (lose between 25-50% of their body wt.)
_______ nervosa – eating binge with “________” (1-3%)
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

44. Special Health Concerns
Substance abuse:
Defined – frequent or excessive use of a drug.
Three most common: 1) ________, 2) ______, & 3) __________.
Individuals who initiate smoking in adolescence have a likelihood of _________ to smoke into adulthood.
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith

45. Special Health Concerns
Adolescent Sexuality & Pregnancy
Depression & _______
Depression is an ________ disorder.
___-___% report mild feelings of depression; ___% are severely depressed.
Teenagers need someone to ____ to them. The question is, will you???
Dr. Richard A. NeSmith