At birth, the brain has millions of nerve cells called neurons.

As a baby experiences different things, the brain develops links between the neurons called neural pathways.

At birth, the brain has millions of nerve cells called neurons. As a baby experiences different things, the brain develops links between the neurons called neural pathways. These neural pathways “wire” the brain to control different body functions or thinking processes.

At birth, the brain has millions of nerve cells called neurons. As a baby experiences different things, the brain develops links between the neurons called neural pathways. These neural pathways “wire” the brain to control different body functions or thinking processes. These links form very quickly and continuously throughout childhood and peak around age 10.

As connections between neurons grow stronger, a group of neurons all become linked, making a system of nerve cells that control a particular action or thinking task.

Learning builds on previous learning

Perception SightHearingSmellTouchTaste

 Jean Piaget called the period from birth to about age 2 the “Sensorimotor Stage”

 During this stage, babies learn primarily through their senses and their own actions

Stage 1 Birth to 1 Month Practices reflexes Does not understand self as a separate person Stage 2 1 to 4 Months Combines 2 or more reflexes Develops hand- mouth coordination Stage 3 4 to 8 Months Acts intentionally to produce results Improves hand- eye coordination Stage 4 8 to 12 Months Begins to solve problems Finds partially hidden objects Imitates others Stage 5 12 to 18 Months Finds hidden objects Explores and experiments Understands that objects exist independently Stage 6 18 to 24 Months Solves problems by thinking through sequences Can think using symbols Begins imaginative thinking

The concept that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight Babies usually come to understand this at about 10 months

Remembering Experiences Making Associations Understanding Cause & Effect Paying Attention

The idea that one action results in another action or condition. If I suck on the bottle… …milk will come out.

The length of time a person can concentrate on a task without getting bored Is very short for babies but gets longer as they get older

 Before learning to talk, a baby must learn to associate meanings with words.

 Develops gradually

 Before learning to talk, a baby must learn to associate meanings with words.  Develops gradually  Caregivers should talk to the baby, even though the baby doesn’t appear to respond

 Before learning to talk, a baby must learn to associate meanings with words.  Develops gradually  Caregivers should talk to the baby, even though the baby doesn’t appear to respond  Use simple words, but not “baby talk” because babies repeat what they hear

A nickname for a type of speech that caregivers often use (usually naturally and without knowing it) when talking to infants; It helps them learn language. Higher-pitched voice Swooping changes in pitch and loudness Emphasized consonants and stretched out vowel sounds Short, simple sentences Pauses and repeats in phrases

Birth Crying 4-6 Months Babbling 7-12 Months First understandable words 12+ Months Two-word phrases