Learning maximized before sixth grade
Have you ever heard that little kids can pick up a new language much faster than grown-ups can? Researchers are now using brain imaging to explore how learning in children changes as they age. And one of the early findings is that cognitive growth slows after age 10. So I guess nobody is smarter than a fifth grader?
4 comments:
That's definitely a neat article, though of course it said that we're still learning after 5th grade, it's just that we're going through a more weeding out process of "importance" than mere accumulation.
As for the language part it is interesting to see the key differences between the early childhood "accumulation" stage and the adolescent "sorting" stage. An old friend of mine from church immigrated here when he was about 6 and has developed a strong command of English while his sister who came at the same time at age 12 has had a harder time mastering the language.
This new article, however, directly overturns and contridicts this article: http://applij.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/8/2/162 which, granted, was published in 1987 (about the time we were born!).
This paper published in 1987/1988 also examines early childhood vs. adolescence and seems to find those children between 8-12, for one reason or another, seems to have the highest acheivement in learning a second language.
http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/pubs/classics/focus/02aage.htm
Kenny Lim, 7240
Interesting article because it provides more concrete evidence about common beliefs and facts that children have an easier time learning things, such as language. I've seen this every day, esp. when kids teach their own parents how to use a computer, cell phone, and the internet etc. At the same time, if you look at the situation another way, college students are learning difficult information and theories when the marginal gain of the brain is at its lowest.
Some question that come to mind is, will teachers and society start teaching children more complex theories because they'll learn it faster as their brain is making more connections?
Just thought that would be a great way to look at this new finding.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VITAMINS_PROSTATE?SITE=CAVEN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Vidya 7546
This is an incredibly interesting article, and proves the necessity to implement a variety of activities and languages, etc to enhance the brain. since it is in its developmental stage, and since they (children) are but new to the world, one should take advantage to expose children to languages and activities, stimulating interest, and as it says "rapidly moved" from 6-10...therefore, the initiative taken by the parents or otherwise will set the course for the future of the student/child at hand. This is why I belive more funding should be given to elementary schools so parents do not have to pay extra for the music/computer/arts classes, which will enrich the lives of each child in the beginning and help them become a learned individual for the future.
here's an JSTOR article that illustrates the same idea: http://www.jstor.org/view/00218510/sp060066/06x0469a/0
Michael Chon
3702
This article is not very revolutionary. It is a widespread belief that children at younger ages learn faster due to the lack of information in their brains. If it true that complex theories are better learned at younger ages, then I believe that the education system will have to change dramatically to deal with this research. I agree with this article's claims because I cannot for the life of my understand the theories of advanced calculus. I just wish I learned calc when I was a child rather that in college when my brain has fully "pruned" itself.
This site offers some suggestions about improving the intelligence of infants.
http://www.brainy-child.com/
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