Abstract This paper looks at the development of the brain from the moment of conception to one year of age. It looks at the development of gender, gender differences in the brain, cognition, and how cognitive function changes through adulthood into old age.
From the Paper There is a four-year period of potential growth lasting from conception until around the third birthday, which is the most critical period for human development. Maria Montessori called this La mente del bambino or the time of the absorbent mind. The brain is composed basically of two types of cells; the neurons which are the nerve cells and the glial cells which are the supportive cells. Information is integrated in the cell bodies of the neurons and travels as an electrochemical impulse along the axon where the..."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses the function of the brain within people with autism. The writer firstly defines the neurological disorder of autism that affects each individual in a different way. It should be noted, however, that autism negatively affects normal brain function. The writer notes that many individuals with autism have been considered remarkably intelligent, despite their difficulties relating to the rest of the social order. Further, the writer points out that due to these variances in the manner that autism is present in the affected individual, the issue of braindevelopment comes into question.
From the Paper "Children with autism may not begin to show signs of the developmental disorder until they have passed infancy. A neurological disorder, autism cannot be defined by standard criteria that are universal to all patients because the disorder affects each individual differently. It should be noted, however, that autism negatively affects normal brain function. As the disorder progresses it will inhibit the individual's ability with social interaction and communication."
Abstract This paper explores two articles that discuss how parenting in the formative months of a child's life can affect that child's cognitive and behavioural development for a lifetime. The paper focuses on the salient points of each article and suggests that each article forces the reader to reconsider anew some of the traditional assumptions that have grown up around parenting.
From the Paper "The role that parents play in the neurological development of their children cannot be under-emphasized. This brief paper presents a summary of two short articles that detail the impact that parents have upon the healthy cognitive and emotional development of their children. As will soon become evident, the information contained in these two brief articles reveals the link between strong parenting and strong, healthy young people. Therefore, the conclusion that it leaves with the reader is that parenting in the earliest stages of life is of far greater importance than we might otherwise suspect. Additionally, the information gleaned from the material presented in these two articles ties in neatly with the broader issues we have touched upon in class; to wit, the earliest stages of life set the ground work for all that will follow."
A paper which studies the effects of the Superfund Neurotoxin Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) on brain dendritic spine density in long hooded Evans Rats Rattus norvegicus.
Abstract The paper shows that in the study of structural development in the brain there have been several proposed biomarkers for quantifying brain plasticity. These include but are not limited to cortical thickness, dendritic length and branching, expression of neuronal proteins, and the presence of DNA adducts. The paper discusses the theory that a measure of brain plasticity emerging late in embryonic development will be a very sensitive biomarker for detecting subtle damage suffered by brain cells during earlier stages of braindevelopment not detectable by other means. The paper shows that to test this, the effects of a neurotoxin on the late developing dendritic spines were studied. A significant decrease in spine density was observed as the neurotoxin, methylazoxymethanol, increased. The author of the paper shows how the implications are widespread in the study of neuro-degenerative disease.
From the Paper "Fifty years ago, Donald Hebb demonstrated that the conditions under which laboratory rats were housed could significantly affect their performance in a variety of complex spatial tasks later in life (1). The complex environment rearing paradigm has been valuable in assessing plasticity of a variety of brain components including cerebral cortical microvasculature, astrocyetic morphology, dentritic branching patterns, synaptic number, and synaptic structure are all affected by complex environment rearing (2). It has been suggested that multiple synaptic contacts (spines) may play a role in the spread of the additive effect of learning known as potentiation, among neighboring unstimulated neurons. A lack of these spines and their connection with boutons of neighboring neurons could then result in a decrease in the capacity for learning. Some recent work has indicated that the presence of multiple synaptic contacts may be altered by experience. Most of this research has focused on structural changes in the hippocampus. Dendrtic spines show great variability in structure and connectivity, both within and across brain structures, including 10-fold differences in length and diameter as well as variations in the number of branches and spines per dendrite."
This paper reviews the 2003 report written by Karen Olness in the "Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics" called "Effects On BrainDevelopment Leading To Cognitive Impairment: A Worldwide Epidemic".
Abstract This paper explains that the article "Effects On BrainDevelopment Leading To Cognitive Impairment: A Worldwide Epidemic" is both a technical overview of some possible causes of mental and other cognitive impairments in children in developing countries and a cry for help. The author points out that Dr. Olness states that iron deficiency suffered in infancy has been attributed to behavior problems in children such as anxiety, depression, social problem and other attention issues. The author of this paper believes that these cognitive brain issues are preventable by giving pregnant mothers and infants iron supplements; however, the resources needed to prevent famine situations are too limited at best in second-world nations and nonexistent in third-world nations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Plot
My Thoughts & Do I Agree/Disagree
Conclusion
From the Paper "Unfortunately, according to the author, cognitive limitations in children appear to be on the rise. Because the majority of these cases are in underdeveloped poor nations, medical help or professional expertise is limited or totally nonexistent. The fact that many of the associated causes of these cognitive concerns stem from malnutrition makes this even a bigger concern as famine continues to spread as the rich get richer and the poor die."
Abstract Early childhood years are said to be of great importance as far as taking in new information and in the facilitation of the learning process. With that said, the writer maintains that music has been found to be a great tool in aiding the learning process, especially in fetal, infant and early childhood brains. There has been much research on the impact of music on child braindevelopment in recent times, as well as in the past. The early childhood years, as well as prenatally, continue to be of importance in regards to children taking in information. In this paper, the writer studies four separate articles on this subject.
From the Paper "The author in this article discusses and explores the possibility of young children benefiting from early childhood musical instruction. The author also discusses the impact of sensory and fetal experiences on fetal brain development, the importance of parent and teacher participation on children's musical education, involvement of music educators on cognitive science and neuroscience and developmental psychology researches (Fox, 2000). The author discusses several research studies, such as: the Perry Preschool Project, which followed up with children in different types of preschool programs. The children in this study ranged from ages three to adulthood. The results of this study indicated that early educational experiences impact the long-term direction of children's development, significantly (Fox, 2000)."
Abstract This paper explores the complex workings of the brain and the effect braindevelopment has on the communication capacity of an infant. It examines how a mother's brain activity affects the unborn child, as well as the emotional bond formed in the early years of a child's life. The paper shows that if the mother-child bond is fully developed, the child forms a secure attachment, which allows for better intellectual and socio-emotional development. The paper explores several subjects related to braindevelopment, attachment and bonding and the process of developing communication capacity. It ends with a discussion of the 'Healthy Families' Indiana program, discussing how this program attempts to help parents in this complex and difficult process.
From the Paper "There is other evidence that this six-month period is crucial to language development. Kuhl (Hochberg, 1997) reported on language studies with Japanese and American infants dealing with distinctions between the "Ra" sound and the "la" sound. Both sets of infants were able to distinguish between these sounds at the age of six months. However, by the age of one year, the Japanese children were no longer able to do so. Because Japanese does not distinguish between these two sounds, their brains had discarded the neural connections that helped them distinguish between the two sounds. They were unneeded for their particular language learning. Certainly this has implications for bilingual development. It is during this period of time, according to Kuhl, that the brain is being organized in order to prepare itself for a specific language."
Abstract This paper describes the different sections of the brain, their locations, and their different processes and functions. It talks about the role of emotions in the thinking and learning process, the attention process, and the information retrieval process, and how knowledge of these processes should be used for teaching purposes. It concludes with a discussion of the early stages of the brain's development and of the importance of providing an environment for early cognitive development.
Basics of the Brain Role of Emotions in the Thinking and Learning Process
Biology of Attention
Using the Brain to Retrieve Information
From the Paper "The brain is the most complex part of the human body. This three-pound organ is part of the central nervous system contained within the skull and is surrounded by a layer of protective fluid (MSN Encarta, 2003). It is the control center for movement, sleep, hunger, thirst, and virtually every other vital activity necessary to survival and the source of all the qualities and emotions that define our humanity. Viewed for hundreds of years as incomprehensible, the brain is what makes us conscious, emotional, and intelligent."
Abstract The paper overviews the functions of the human brain and its many parts. The paper first describes what our brain looks like and compares it to the brains of animals and fish. The paper then explores whether the mathematical and scientific abilities of geniuses have something to do with their braindevelopment. Furthermore, the paper discusses the main function of the human brain that is its ability to store, retain and subsequently retrieve information. The brain activity that causes dreams is also discussed.
From the Paper "The human brain is a unique creation - it is wonderfully made to enable us to think, plan, move, see, speak, hear, taste, smell and imagine. It is the central organ of sensation, thought and the true seat of intelligence. The brain is responsible for the major functions of the body in order to survive. It is the one in charge of controlling the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. The human brain accepts and processes information through our senses - seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and tasting. Even our capacity to handle physical motion when we do our daily activities is controlled by our brain. It dictates the parameter the way we talk, walk, sit, run, and perform other locomotors. It also has coordinating and regulating functions that allow us to use our logic, provide reasoning, experience emotions, and even to dream."
Abstract This paper reviews the peer-reviewed and scholarly literature concerning recent brain research findings and its sources over the past 10-15 years. Following an overview of the subject, a discussion about the "critical periods" in a child's braindevelopment shows that there is powerful new evidence from neuroscience that the early years of development set the base for competence and coping skills that affect learning, behavior and health throughout life. It also look at how the findings from this research could be used to enhance or better yet enrich how to better develop the minds so that learning can be maximized in the classroom.
Outline
Background and Overview
Brain-Based Learning Techniques
Summary
From the Paper "In their book, Practical Approaches to Using Learning Styles in Higher Education, Dunn and Griggs (2000) report that people have such unique patterns for learning new and difficult information that "it is hard to judge accurately how to teach anything academically challenging without first identifying how each student learns" (p. 19). Once a student's learning style has been identified, though, educators can develop appropriate processing approach(es), method(s), and sequence(s) of perceptual exposures to resources that are likely to make learning relatively comfortable for everyone involved (Dunn & Griggs, 2000). Educators who support this approach have adopted a brain-based approach to learning, a technique that is not without its detractors."
An analysis of the research on infant braindevelopment and the effects of parental communication and care before and after birth, includes attachment and bonding, memory formation, communication skills, crying, stages of development and more.
6,075 words (approx. 24.3 pages), 18 sources, 2000, $ 135.95
Abstract During the past few decades, there has been a revolution in brain research and in the understanding of human cognitive development. Research has shown ever-increasing impact from the environment on braindevelopment, beginning immediately after conception and continuing during the child's early development.
From the Paper "Communication Between Mother and Child
Introduction:
During the past few decades, there has been a revolution in brain research and in the understanding of human cognitive development. Research has shown ever-increasing impact from the environment on brain development, beginning immediately after conception and continuing during the child's early development. The brain is susceptible to many different kinds of influences, including structural, chemical, and hormonal influences (Healy, 1994). Starting with birth, the brain undergoes even further development, creating billions of synapses that promote thought, emotion, and physical activity. The capacity of those..."
Abstract The paper discusses the need for stimulation to the brain as a child develops from infant to toddler. It discusses that during these stages, without external stimulation, it is very unlikely that a child will develop healthy functionality of various organs, including the eyes and brain. The paper references three psychologists, Jean Piaget, Erik Erickson, and Sigmund Freud, that have studied cognitive development from infant to early adolescents.
From the Paper " In Erickson's eight stages of psychosocial development, he studies all age groups from infancy through adulthood. In the first and second stages address the development of infants and toddlers through the first two years of life. In Erickson's first stage, the baby develops trust vs. mistrust. In this stage the baby needs care, love, food, and to be held in the mother's arms. If a child receives these essential needs from a parent or guardian, the needs of the child are met and he will develop trust in adults. The child may then experience normal cognitive, emotional, and social growth. However, if a child is deprived of this nurturing, she will develop an overall mistrust of people in her environment (Harder)."
Tags: adolescent, Piaget, Erikson, Freud, environment, communication
Abstract This paper explains that the Georgia Head Start organization began distributing CDs with classical music on them to every newborn child's mother as part of a program designed to aid in the early childhood development of children's intelligence. The author points out that, if pathways in the brain go unused, they will eventually wither away; however, a child who cannot yet form words and sentences can hear and be motivated by music, thus stimulating brain growth. The paper suggests that the program of handing out music CDs to parents whose children need the greatest amount of assistance available is a terrific plan, but poorly executed; instead, it would be better to regularly play classical music in the Head Start centers.
From the Paper "The research of Rausher and Shaw was based on the initial belief that music learning, in some shape or form, may count among the kinds of experiences that lead to long-term changes in the brain's hard wiring neural development. Using a group of 84 college students, they demonstrated that listening to a Mozart piano sonata for 10 minutes improved the students' spatial-temporal reasoning skills. The students increased their ability to form mental images from physical objects, or to see abstract patterns in space and time. These skills are key to engineers and architects, and form the basis for understanding proportion, geometry, and other mathematical and scientific concepts."
This paper highlights the advances in imaging technology that have allowed scientists to discover how memory works and the areas of the brain involved.
Abstract This paper looks at how the different advances in brain imaging-techniques have contributed to scientists increased ability to understand the concept of memory. It looks at the advent of Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and what they have meant to the increased ability to understand and treat brain, and memory disorders.
From the Paper "For example, fMRI was found useful for research by Awh and colleagues (1999) to observe brain activations during the performance of a spatial working memory task. In this investigation, subjects were given a spatial working memory task and a control task. Using fMRI the researchers found a functionally distinct, region that showed sustained activity during the spatial working memory task, confirming the location for the neural bases for that function. In the past, researchers who wanted detailed studies of human brain activity struggled because they lacked effective investigative tools. In experiments with humans the best technologies brought only limited success in mapping the processes of consciousness."
