Childhood L2: Brain and Cognition

Development

Consists of age-related changes in behavior, cognition, social, and emotional functioning (milestones, benchmarks)

Growth

Measurable changes in size, physique, and various systems of the body

Maturation

Progress towards the mature state

Germinal Stage

First two weeks

Embryonic Stage

Third to eighth week

Fetal Stage

Ninth week to birth

Ectoderm

Nervous system, skin, hair

Mesoderm

Muscles, bones, circulatory system

Endoderm

Lungs, urinary tract, digestive system, vital organs

Neurulation

Process by which the neural plate bends up and later fuses to form the hollow tube that will eventually become the brain and spinal cord (from neural tube formation until 3rd week of gestation)

Neurogenesis

Process of generating neurons and neuronal connections, 86 billion neurons, 85 billion glial

Neural Induction

Signaling molecules released by the mesoderm that trigger some ectoderm cells to become nerve tissue, triggers nerve tissue to specialize in neurons or glia

Hebbian Synapse

A type of synaptic connection that strengthens when the synapse is repeatedly activated, neurons that fire together wire together

Migration

Neurons migrate from place of origin to where they will remain for life, 3-4 weeks after conception, largely complete by 25th prenatal week

Apoptosis

Neurons that do not receive or transmit information become damaged and die

Myelination

Coating of myelin over axons, from 23rd prenatal week onward

Cephalocaudal

Structures near the head are more developed than those near the feet, basic to specialized - organs first appear in primitive form then develop more

Premature Birth

One that occurs before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy

Teratogen

Any non-genetic agent that can cause malformation to the embryo or fetus

Self Regulation

The extent to which people influence, modify, or control their own behavior according to goals or standards