The Structure of the Brain

1. The Structure of the Brain Brain development happens faster in the first year than in any other time of life. Environment impacts brain development. Newborns learn about the world through their senses.

2. The Structure of the Brain The cerebrum, thalamus, cerebellum, pituitary gland, spinal cord, and brain stem make up the brain. Neurons transmit information in the brain and nervous system. neuron A nerve cell.

3. dendrite neural pathway A branchlike feature at the end of each axon that receives the messages from other neurons. The link between neurons. Developing the Brain • More dendrites indicate increased learning. • An increased number of neural pathways results from sensory input. • Each child’s brain gets organized in a unique way, depending on his or her experiences.

4. Developing the Brain • Repetitive action causes the neurons to work together so that action becomes easier. • The brain can be reorganized.

5. Developing the Brain • The brain continues to develop through responses to life’s experiences. • Caregivers can increase the speed of brain development with a stimulating environment. How can a stimulating environment encourage brain development?

6. Early Learning Abilities • Signs of intellectual growth include: • remembering experiences. • understanding cause and effect. • making associations. • paying attention.

7. Early Learning Abilities • Infants are sensitive to sound. • Touch is an important way to communicate love to an infant. • A concept is a general category of objects and information. concept A general category of objects and information that can also include abstract ideas.

8. sensorimotor period Piaget’s first stage of learning and lasts from birth to about age two. Periods of Learning • Psychologist Jean Piaget had a great influence on what is known about how children learn. • During the sensorimotor period, babies learn mainly through their senses. • At each of the six stages of the sensorimotor period, a baby has specific intellectual abilities.

9. Encouraging Learning • Babies learn more and faster when their caregivers comfort, talk to, smile at, and play with them.

10. Encouraging Learning • Encouragement to learn relies on the time, attention, and knowledge given to the child. • A caregiver can help a baby learn by talking to and playing games with the baby. • Showing pleasure and giving praise encourages the baby to try new things. How can playing games help a baby learn?

11. Encouraging Learning • Showing love helps build self-confidence. • Babies communicate by crying, moving, gesturing, and making special sounds. • Reading to children helps them learn that sounds have meaning.

12. The Importance of Play • Playtime is essential for intellectual and physical development. • Babies need different toys as they grow and develop.

13. neuron A nerve cell. Show Definition

14. neural pathway The link between neurons. Show Definition

15. cortex Part of the brain’s cerebrum; its growth permits more complex learning. Show Definition

16. axon The connection between neurons that transmits instructions from the cell body to another neuron. Show Definition

17. myelin A waxy, protein-based substance that coats axons and helps transmit information from one nerve cell to another. Show Definition

18. dendrite A branchlike feature at the end of each axon that receives the messages from other neurons. Show Definition

19. synapse The tiny gap between the dendrites where messages are transmitted from one neuron to another. Show Definition

20. neurotransmitter A chemical released by the axon. The neurotransmitter acts as a messenger between the neurons. Show Definition

21. perception The ability to learn from sensory information. Show Definition

22. attention span The length of time a person can concentrate on a task without getting bored. Show Definition

23. concept A general category of objects and information that can also include abstract ideas. Show Definition

24. sensorimotor period Piaget’s first stage of learning and lasts from birth to about age two. Show Definition

25. object permanence The concept that objects will continue to exist, even when they are out of sight. Show Definition

26. imaginative play Pretending; seeing or hearing things that might happen but have not happened yet. Show Definition

27. symbolic thinking The use of words and numbers to stand for ideas. Show Definition

28. age appropriate Something is suitable for the age and individual needs of a child. Show Definition

29. childproof To take steps to protect the child from possible dangers. Show Definition

30. manipulate To work with the hands. Show Definition

31. function Event. Show Definition

32. receptor A receiver; a nerve ending that is sensitive to stimuli. Show Definition

33. elicit To bring forth; to produce some sort of reaction or response. Show Definition

34. determined Reasoned; to bring to light or disclose. Show Definition

35. responsiveness Reactions, usually strong or favorable, to something. Show Definition

36. hazard Something that is potentially dangerous. Show Definition