tive is unique and they may need an adult to help point them in the direction of salient features to pay attention to. Recurring events or novel information in the context of a familiar event helps children remember. Thus to assist a young child, focus must be placed on the familiar aspects of an event. This specific aspect can then be used to prompt the recall of a memory. While younger children are not able to learn as much or as quickly as older children, they are able to achieve amazing long-term memory and recall. Parents and teachers must maintain realistic expectations of the child's ability. Interaction with important figures in a child's life is a factor in memory and recall. Instead of telling a child to "think harder," the use of memory questions will help a child remember.
Question 3: How does the brain grow?
Nash (1997) reported findings regarding the study of the brain. Scientists now realize that the brain is not a computer. Electrical activity in the brain cells change its structure and the firing of neurons is essential to this process. The brain is working before the baby is born and after birth learning is immense. The brain has around 100 billion neurons at birth and nerve cells that number as many stars as there are to be found in the "Milky Way." Neural activity is driven by sensory experiences.
The first years of life are crucial for the brain's growth. After birth the brain produces trillions of connections and then goes through the process of eliminating connections or synapses that are not used. This pruning, which starts around the age of 10, is effected by the child's experiences. Thus, rich experiences produce rich brains. These rich sensory experiences include the parent-child interaction. Cuddling, talking, and providing a baby or toddler with stimulating experiences are important for the development of the brain. The most important year is the first and after the age of thre...