The biological approach to children’s cognitive development is well-established, as it seems obvious that learning must be directly related to neurogenesis (growth of new synapses connecting neurons) and neural pruning (‘cutting back’ of synapses no longer needed). But of course this development through neuroplasticity requires not only good nutrition and nurturing to prevent injury, but also social stimulation, so a … Read More
Lifelong learning – old dogs and new tricks
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks – or so the saying goes. Developmental psychologists like Piaget tended to assume that cognition and the corresponding brain development were complete by the age of about twenty. However, recent research into brain neuroplasticity shows that adults, even older adults, can continue to learn throughout their lives, and improve their brains in … Read More