1. Intellectual Development in Infants
Chapter 9
Intellectual Development in Infants

2. 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

3. Chapter 9.1
Early Brain Development

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Parts of the Brain: Pituitary Gland
Secretes hormones that control
Growth
Metabolism
Sexual Development

8. Parts of the Brain: Brain Stem
Controls
Involuntary activities
Breathing
Heart rate
Blood pressure

9. 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

10. Parts of the Brain: Cerebellum
Controls
Muscular coordination
Balance
Posture

11. Parts of the Brain: Thalamus
Relays sensory information from other parts of the brain to the cerebral cortex

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Stimulating Infant Brain Development
Keep it simple and natural
Match experiences to child’s abilities
Practice makes perfect
Actively involve the baby
Provide variety but avoid overload
Avoid pushing the child

18. 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

19. Chapter 9.2
Intellectual Development During the First Year