1. Starter
Intellectual and cognitive development refers to how individuals organise their ideas and make sense of the world in which they live. There are 5 important aspects of intellectual development, can you guess them all: 1. L_______________ D_________________ 2. P_______________ S_________________ 3. M_______________ 4. M_______________ D_________________ 5. A__________ T__________ and C___________ T_____________

2. Starter
Intellectual and cognitive development refers to how individuals organise their ideas and make sense of the world in which they live. There are 5 important aspects of intellectual development, can you guess them all: 1. Language development: Important for organising thoughts, sharing ideas and clarification 2. Problem solving: Important for working things out and predicting what might happen 3. Memory: Important for storing, recalling and retrieving information 4. Moral development: Important for reasoning, making choices and deciding how to act 5. Abstract thought and Creative thinking: Important for thinking and discussing situations and events that cannot be observed

3. Neurological development
Early development of the brain and nervous system

4. Brain and neurological development (1)
Brain development begins with the formation and closure of the neural tube.
One of the most sensitive periods in brain development occurs when the neural tube is closing.
If the tube fails to close (about 4 weeks after conception) the result can be a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.
Taking folic acid before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
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5. Brain and neurological development (2)
At birth: the human brain consists of around 100 billion neurons (the core cells of the nervous system).
Neurons connect to form neural pathways which process and transmit information.
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6. Brain and neurological development (3)
In the early years neural pathways develop because of the brain’s plasticity.
Stimulated through sensory stimulation (such as cuddling) and positive interactions (such as playing).
Lack of exposure to positive stimulation leads to the loss of neural pathways through neural pruning.
High levels of the stress hormone cortisol can also severely damage the developing brain.
(Ref. Perry, B.D., The Human Brain, ChildTrauma Academy, 2013)
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7. Brain structure Cerebrum: A - Sensory Cortex B - ____________
C - Broca’s Area
D - ___________
F – Temporal Lobe
Brain Stem:
G - Pons
H - Medulla
I - _____________
J - Occipital Lobe
L – _____________

8. Part of the Brain
Functions
Cerebrum: 
Largest part of the brain made up of 4 lobes and 2 hemispheres, left and right.
Frontal Lobe 
Linked to the skills of problem solving, reasoning, organisation, planning, memory, and emotional intelligence.
Parietal Lobe 
Linked to proprioceptive movement (our body position in space) and co-ordination.
Occipital Lobe 
Linked to sight (mechanics of seeing) and vision (understanding what we see).
Temporal Lobe   
Linked to the skills of hearing, speech, and memory.
Cerebellum
Controls posture, balance, co-ordination, and movement.
Brainstem 
Connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls basic life functions such as breathing and heartbeat.

10. There are billions of neurons in the human brain
There are billions of neurons in the human brain. Each neuron has the potential to connect to thousands of other neurons. Neurons are not physically linked together, but work by passing information using chemical and electrical signals. These signals are passed between the terminal axon at the end of one neuron to the dendrite of the next neuron. The space between the neurons is the synapse. Each new experience creates a new synaptic connection, and repetition will ensure that the action or connection will embed itself as a memory. Research appears to show that in the first two years of life, an infant’s brain is creating around 700 synaptic pathways each second. Synaptic pathway that are weak and not revisited die, whereas those used multiple times form strong pathways. To preserve these pathways, the body produces a substance called myelin which coats the neurons and axons and prevents the electrical signal from drifting away. Myelination continues through to early adulthood, when the brain becomes fully mature. Everything a baby experiences multiple times, whether good or bad, will be stored by the neurons.

11. Speech and Language Development
Over an individual’s lifespan their brain grows at an amazing rate.
At birth, a baby’s brain is about 30% the size of an adult’s brain. By the age of 2 the child’s brain has increased to about 80% the size of an adult’s brain.
This rapid growth leads to quick development through speech and language milestones.
What specific milestones within speech and language do you think health visitors look for?
Why is it so important to monitor speech milestones?
Milestones: Babble, imitating sounds (da da,) single words, two word sentences (me drink,) simple sentences, questions, clear sentences that can be understood by strangers, using full adult grammar.

12. Speech journey video and timeline
Make notes of some words and phrases they can say at each stage…

13. Language Development Milestones
Around 3 months
Infants begin to make babbling noises as they learn to control the muscles associated with speech
Around 12 months
Infants begin to imitate sounds made by carers such as ‘da da’. This develops into single words.
Around 2 years
Infants begin to make two word sentences, such as ‘cat goed’ (meaning the cat has gone away.) The infant begins to build their vocabulary.
Around 3 years
Children begin to make simple sentences, such as ‘I want drink.’ This develops into the ability to ask questions. Knowledge of words (vocabulary) grows rapidly.
Around 4 years
Children begin to use clear sentences that can be understood by strangers but may make mistakes of grammar. ‘We met lots of peoples at the shops’
5 years
Children use full adult grammar. Although vocabulary continues to grow, most children are using language effectively by 5 years old.
Table is on page 15 in work booklets.

14. Promoting Language Development
Use the textbooks and your own knowledge to research how language development can be promoted across 3 life age groups:
Infants
Young Children
Adolescence

15. Promoting Language Development
Infants
Young Children
Adolescence
Blow bubbles
Play with puppets
Join in with action rhymes and songs
Look at picture books.
Imaginary play in ‘home corner’
Share stories and rhymes
Play word games
Read a wide range of books
Take part in group projects
Discuss ideas
Plan and deliver presentations

16. How do we learn? Strategies for learning 5 aspects:
1. Language development: Important for organising thoughts, sharing ideas and clarification
2. Problem solving: Important for working things out and predicting what might happen
3. Memory: Important for storing, recalling and retrieving information
4. Moral development: Important for reasoning, making choices and deciding how to act
5. Abstract thought and Creative thinking: Important for thinking and discussing situations and events that cannot be observed
Milestones: Babble, imitating sounds (da da,) single words, two word sentences (me drink,) simple sentences, questions, clear sentences that can be understood by strangers, using full adult grammar.