Early Childhood: Brain Development

Corpus callosum

thick band of nerve fibers that connects the 2 hemispheres of the brain

Reticular formation

________: structure in brain stem that maintains alertness and consciousness- myelinates throughout early childhood and into adolescence.

Cerebellum

________: structure that aids in balance and control of body movement- contributes to dramatic gains in motor coordination and in thinking.

Hippocampus

________: inner- brain structure that plays a vital role in memory and spatial understanding- develops rapidly in the second half of the first year, when recall memory and independent movement emerge.

Amygdala

________: inner- brain structure that processes novelty and emotional information- governs regulation of emotion.

Greater development of prefrontal cortex

________- changes and growth in ability to think, strategize, and control emotion.

prefrontal cortex

the highest level in the brain

Most rapid brain growth occurs in the

frontal areas that regulate planning and goal setting.

The prefrontal cortex plays important roles in

attention, memory, and self regulation

Corpus callosum myelinates

rapidly during early childhood.

The prefrontal cortex shows extensive development from

3 to 6 years of age and continues to grow through the remainder of childhood and adolescence.

Development in prefrontal cortex makes it increasingly possible for preschoolers to

control emotional outbursts, understand how to play games, understand rules, cooperative play

The myelin coating essential for the development of the neural pathways that connect individual parts of the brain undergoes its most prominent increase in

the first 3 to 4 years of life

Rapid myelination of the corpus callosum allows

the two hemispheres to communicate and better coordinate activities that use both sides of the body at the same time.

During early childhood, the brain continues to change both its

structure and its functions

The two hemispheres become

more specialized.

Synapses now form at

a slower rate than they did in infancy

The rate of synaptic pruning

increases

a good deal of _______________ is still occurring.

myelination and synaptic remodeling

The overall rate of brain metabolism rises to

twice that of adult levels by the ages of 4 and 5 years

This high level of brain metabolism continues until

9 to 10 years of age.