Chpt 9

Intellectual DevelopmentIn

Infants

ObjectivesList the functions of each part of the brain

controls.Describe how brain cells work together.Explain how the brain becomes organized.Identify activities that support the

development of brain pathways.Give an example of how neural pathways I

the brain help a baby to acquire new skills.

TermsNeuronNeural pathwaysCortexAxonMyelinDendriteSynapseNeurotransmitter

Recent Research 280New activities stimulate or awaken a baby’s

sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell and develop new abilities.

Increased brain function is due not only the capabilities of the brain, but also to the quantity and quality of experiences.

Research Cont.Neurons = billions of nerve cells in the brainExperiences cause development between

neuronsNeural Pathways = are the links between the

neurons that control body functions and thinking.

Links in the brain start at birth and reach their peak in number at about age 10.

Structure of the Brain p280Newborns - Responses are reflexes, not

learned responses. Grasping when touched, kicking off blankets

6 month old – Has learned that blankets and socks can be pulled off.

1 year old – Can stack toys, stand up, and walk.

Parts of the Brain p281CerebrumReceives information from senses and directs

motor activities.Controls

SpeechMemoryProblem solving

Most of the activities occur in the cortex or cerebral cortex (outer layer)

Parts of the Brain p281 Cont.ThalamusConnects spinal cord and cerebrumControls emotions

Parts of the Brain p281 Cont.CerebellumControls

MusclesCoordinationBalancePosture

Parts of the Brain p281 Cont.Spinal CordTransmits info from the body to the brain Transmits info from brain to bodyCoordinates activities of the left and right

sides of the bodyControls simple reflexes that don’t involve

the brain

Parts of the Brain p281 Cont.Brain StemControls involuntary activities

BreathingHeart rate Blood pressure

Parts of the Brain p281 Cont.Pituitary GlandSecretes hormones that regulate:

GrowthMetabolismSexual development

How the Brain Works p282Neurons – nerve cells in the brainYou are born with millions of neurons.You are born with all that you will ever have –

none are added during life.Connected by axons and dendrites

Axons = arms of neurons that transmits information

Coated with myelin

How the Brain Works p282 Cont.Myelin = waxy protein substance that helps

transmit the info Dendrites = arms of neurons that receive

information from the axons.They are like branches reaching out toward

each other but never touch.Synapses = space /gap between dendrites

How the Brain Works p282 ContNeurotransmitters = chemicals released by

the axon to the dendritesThe chemicals look for a dendrite to connect

with but can only attach to ones with the right kind of receptors.

The more times the same axon and dendrite connect, the stronger the connection – can send and receive messages faster.This is the reason repeated sensory input is

important.

How the Brain Works p282 ContConnections in an infant’s brain are

increased by a stimulating environment or decreased by a lack of stimulation.

This can be a 25% change in either direction.Babies love visual stimulation and prefer high

contrast images

Building the Brain p284The more dendrites that grow, the more links

that develop, and the more neural pathways that grow

The more links / neural pathways, the more brain power

The more brain power, the more it can do and the more flexible it becomes

Ex: The more roads there are, the more places you can go and the more choices you can make.

Building the Brain p284The increase in connections is the result of

sensory inputThe more interaction the more complex the

brain’s “wiring” becomes.

How the Brain Becomes OrganizedEach child’s brain is organized in a unique

way based on their experiences.As connections grow, a group of neurons link

together and become systems of nerve cells that control an action or thinking.

Ex: A group of neurons can work together to control drinking from a cup or holding a spoon. Every time they try, synaptic connections fires together in a sequence. After repetition, they get it down.

How the Brain Becomes OrganizedConnections are NOT permanent. If you

don’t keep repeating them, they diminish.People forget what they have learned.Old saying:

“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”Children build so many connections that they

have to lose surplus ones to make room for new ones and getting better at old ones.

Pruning = helps the brain focus on unseful connections,

Is the Brain Organized Only Once?The brain can be reorganized.If one part is damaged, the person may use

other areas to accomplish what the damaged area once controlled.

Speeding the Brain’s WorkMyelin coats the axons making it easier to

transmit signals. When born, only the nerves that control basic

instincts have the myelin. As they grow, other axons acquire myelin and this continues till about 21.

Axons in the area that controls motor skills, vision, and hearing get the myelin first.

Speeding the Brain’s WorkChildren who learn slower may not have

axons that have yet been coated with myelin. Therefore, the messages are coming slower.

If the coating is lost, it affects how the brain and body function.

People with multiple sclerosis lack myelin.

Questions p 2871. In what part of the brain is the cerebra cortex?2. What abilities does the cerebellum control?3. How do dendrites and axons function together

in the brain?4. How does myelin help axons do their work?5. How do repeated experiences help organize

the brain?6. What happens to synapses throughout life/7. What impact on learning results from the rate

of the spread of myelin?

Intellectual Development During the First Year p 288

Objectives:List four signs of intellectual growth in infants.Identify Piaget’s first period of learning and

describe specific abilities that babies learn during this period.

Summarize the importance of sensory stimulation to the intellectual development of infants.

Describe the progression of concept development in young children.

Intellectual Development During the First Year p 288

TermsPerceptionAttention spanSensorimotor periodObject permanenceImaginative playSymbolic thinkingConcepts

Show the PPT from Iowa FCS that has been modified