Brain growth is at its highest during infancy, but continues in early childhood
One reason why infants are clumsy is the corpus callosum is not fully developed and does not communicate as well
Brain activity of young child is near its peak, and continues to steadily decline until about age 20
- May reflect metabolism in early childhood, or synaptic connection and myelination of brain
2nd Birthday
Brain achieved 80% of adult size
- Growth from increase in dendrites and synaptic connections
- Some synapses removed, but more added
Afterwards, growth continues more slowly, and skull sutures continue to close
3rd birthday
Myelination largely complete, but continues at a lessened pace
- White matter, as opposed to grey matter (unmyelinated brain cell bodies)
Ages 3-4
Myelination in PFC allows better impulse control and improvements in attention (both necessary for formal education)
Between 6-8
Growth process largely concludes