Brain Fact # 7
Learning and Cognition
Most organisms begin life with all of the processing systems and information that they need to survive. Humans are a notable exception in that an adult-size brain is significantly larger than a mother’s birth canal. So, we are born with an immature brain that develops additional mass and capabilities during its twenty year post-birth developmental trajectory. Parenting, mentoring, teaching, and mass media are examples of the cultural systems that humans have developed to help young people master the knowledge and skills they need to survive and thrive in complex environments. Learning is one of the main activities we do, even if many times we are not aware of it.
CLASSROOM & HOMEWORK TIPS for SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN
On the continuum of activity level, some children are on the low end and some children are on the extreme level. Somewhere along the spectrum, depending on whose opinion it is, a given child may be diagnosed with ADHD. Parents and teachers need to know that there is no such thing as an objective test for ADHD. Whether we call them children with ADHD or not, the principles and techniques for dealing with them are the same as for all difficult children.