Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
The Structure of the Brain
• Brain development happens faster in the first year
than in any other time of life.
• Environment impacts brain development.
• Newborns learn about the world through their
senses.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
The Structure of the Brain
• The cerebrum, thalamus, cerebellum, pituitary
gland, spinal cord, and brain stem make up
the brain.
• Neurons transmit information in the brain and
nervous system.
neuron
A nerve cell.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Developing the Brain
• More dendrites indicate increased learning.
• An increased number of neural pathways results
from sensory input.
• Each child’s brain gets organized in a unique
way, depending on his or her experiences.
dendrite
neural pathway
A branchlike feature at the
end of each axon that
receives the messages from
other neurons.
The link between neurons.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Developing the Brain
• Repetitive action causes the neurons to work
together so that action becomes easier.
• The brain can be reorganized.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Developing the Brain
• The brain continues to develop through
responses to life’s experiences.
• Caregivers can increase the speed of brain
development with a stimulating environment.
How can a stimulating environment
encourage brain development?
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Early Learning Abilities
• Signs of intellectual growth include:
• remembering experiences.
• understanding cause and effect.
• making associations.
• paying attention.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Early Learning Abilities
• Infants are sensitive to sound.
• Touch is an important way to communicate love to
an infant.
• A concept is a general category of objects and
information.
concept
A general category of objects
and information that can also
include abstract ideas.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Periods of Learning
• Psychologist Jean Piaget had a great influence on
what is known about how children learn.
• During the sensorimotor period, babies learn
mainly through their senses.
• At each of the six stages of the sensorimotor
period, a baby has specific intellectual abilities.
sensorimotor period
Piaget’s first stage of learning and
lasts from birth to about age two.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Encouraging Learning
• Babies learn more and
faster when their
caregivers comfort, talk
to, smile at, and play
with them.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Encouraging Learning
• Encouragement to learn relies on the time,
attention, and knowledge given to the child.
• A caregiver can help a baby learn by talking to and
playing games with the baby.
• Showing pleasure and giving praise encourages
the baby to try new things.
How can playing games help a
baby learn?
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
Encouraging Learning
• Showing love helps build self-confidence.
• Babies communicate by crying, moving, gesturing,
and making special sounds.
• Reading to children helps them learn that sounds
have meaning.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
The Importance of Play
• Playtime is essential for intellectual and physical
development.
• Babies need different
toys as they grow
and develop.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
neuron
A nerve cell.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
neural pathway
The link between
neurons.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
cortex
Part of the brain’s
cerebrum; its growth
permits more complex
learning.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
axon
The connection between
neurons that transmits
instructions from the cell
body to another neuron.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
myelin
A waxy, protein-based
substance that coats
axons and helps
transmit information
from one nerve cell
to another.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
dendrite
A branchlike feature at
the end of each axon
that receives the
messages from other
neurons.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
synapse
The tiny gap between
the dendrites where
messages are
transmitted from one
neuron to another.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
neurotransmitter
A chemical released by
the axon. The
neurotransmitter acts as
a messenger between
the neurons.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
perception
The ability to learn
from sensory
information.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
attention span
The length of time a
person can concentrate
on a task without getting
bored.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
concept
A general category
of objects and
information that
can also include
abstract ideas.
Show Definition
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
sensorimotor period
Piaget’s first stage of
learning and lasts from
birth to about age two.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
object permanence
The concept that
objects will continue to
exist, even when they
are out of sight.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
imaginative play
Pretending; seeing
or hearing things
that might happen
but have not
happened yet.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
symbolic thinking
The use of words and
numbers to stand for
ideas.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
age appropriate
Something is suitable
for the age and
individual needs of
a child.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
childproof
To take steps to
protect the child from
possible dangers.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
manipulate
To work with the
hands.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
function
Event.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
receptor
A receiver; a nerve
ending that is
sensitive to stimuli.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
elicit
To bring forth; to
produce some sort of
reaction or response.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
determined
Reasoned; to bring to
light or disclose.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
responsiveness
Reactions, usually
strong or favorable,
to something.
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Chapter 9 Intellectual Development of Infants
hazard
Something that is
potentially dangerous.
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