CRITICAL AND SENSITIVE PERIODS

Maturation

Biologically programmed process of growth that has a fixed sequence and facilitates all aspects of our development

Example of maturation

Learning how to walk

Plasticity

Brains ability to physically change shape in response to experience and learning

Critical period

Narrow, rigid developmental periods where a specific function must be learnt

Sensitive period

Optimal developmental period for a specific function to be learnt in the fastest and easiest way

Develop or be fully functional

If a skill is not acquired in the critical period, they may never ______ or be ______ ________.

Example of a critical period

First language acquisition

Language aquisition

Ability to perceive and comprehend language and produce and communicate with speech

Outside the sensitive period

Learning a skill ______ the ________ ______ will still be able to develop, but it will be a longer and more difficult process

Example of a sensitive period

Second language acquisition