Neuroplasticity

Why is it important for a child to play? In one article, it is stated that free, unstructured play is important for a child’s brain development (Anonymous, 2016). It allows for the child to not only

Play is central to the development of children, enabling them to make sense of their world as they learn through exploration and experimentation. Susan Isaacs said ‘play is indeed the child’s work and the means whereby he grows and develops’. (Isaacs,1929) Play can support a child’s social, emotional and behavioural development through the following:

The videos that I watched we very informative and intriguing. In the neuroplasticity video it told us that neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Neuroplasticity is how we become better at problem solving, learning a new language, and increasing our ability to focus. An example, of my road to mastering a subject would be me learning how to play the clarinet. I vividly remember the first day I played the clarinet, I still remember that I had to look at my fingers to see if I they were on the right keys. Doing anything the first time most of the time is hard at first, but with time it becomes a habit. At first when I got my clarinet they told me to get reeds, when I saw them the first time I just saw thick strips of wood.

drawn from this finding. One is that no shift from one hemisphere to the other has occurred

The concept of neuroplasticity is new and upcoming in the field of medicine. Neuroplasticity is defined as “the process in which your brain's neural synapses and pathways are altered as an effect of environmental, behavioral and neural changes.” Simply put, neuroplasticity is how your brain grows and changes. This is crucial to individuals who have sustained severe brain or spinal injuries. In order for these new synapses to form the neurons must be constantly stimulated through physical and occupational therapies. However, not all therapies are covered under health insurances, and when they are covered patients and families are still forced to pay hefty co-pays if they wish to receive treatments. Physical, Occupational, and Psychological therapies

This document examines the current research as well as the views from theorists such as Vygotsky who believe that play supports children in all areas of development (CMEC, 2012). When children are playing they are learning and discovering a great deal of information about their world. In the document it provides information about the scientific evidence supporting learning through play and the benefits that it has on brain development (CMEC, 2012). It has been proven that children will develop better social, emotional and cognitive skills when they are playing (CMEC, 2012). Through play children are able to make sense of their world and acquire and practice skills that they can use for their entire lives. In the document that the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada released it emphasizes the need for children to play and to be actively engaged in their environment (CMEC, 2012). This documents states that early childhood educators should plan and create play- based learning experiences for children (CMEC, 2012). I think it is important that early childhood educators recognize the importance in play based learning and provide children with experiences that encourage them to challenge and expand their own thinking and

The book The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, written by Dr. Norman Doidge, provides different intimate experiences from people that received help through neuroplasticity exercises. Each story describes how the brain is able to readjust itself. Brain plasticity can physically modify the brain by uncovering rewarding and tragic experiences. Changes in the brain can also occur as we age. Throughout the reading I learned several knowledgeable facts I did not know before. Some being the transcription and template functions, and the effects memory and learning have on the transformation of the brain over time. Another was Jordan Grafman’s research on the four kinds of plasticity; map expansion, sensory reassignment, compensatory masquerade, and mirror region takeover.

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change and reorganize itself due to different circumstances throughout our lives. Just like plastic, the brain can easily be molded into something different. Our environment, emotions, thoughts, behavior all have an effect on our brain and how, over time, it is physically and functionally changed. In the video, Dr. Norman Doidge said just by learning new things and having new thoughts, the brain is rewired forming a new structure by increasing the amount of connections made. This is because different genes are being turned on releasing chemicals allowing new structures. Dr. Doidge also talked about the down side to neuroplasticity and how it allows addictions to be made. For example, when one intakes

In America, Cocaine dependence is an issue which involves nearly every one in three drug related emergency hospital visits, having various personal and social economic impacts (Martell, Orson et al. 2009). Many individuals who suffer have been found to have impaired cognitive functions and manifest a myriad of biological and neurological dysfunctions. The relationship between cocaine and cocaine dependence on brain physiology is its effects on particular brain regions and receptors leading to synaptic plasticity mediating altered ability of learning and consolidation [pic](Martinez, Narendran et al. 2007; Thomas, Kalivas et al. 2008; Mameli, Halbout et al.

Most of these have different types of play. Most of the studies are surround the same age as the target child of the observation, which lets me know that the target child should have the same cognitive thinking as the previous studies. In addition, In previous studies shows that through play, children are using their creative thinking, problem solving skills and language which links to their play. My research question is, “Does play have a role in cognitive development? For the hypothesis is if play is essentials for children’s development then it could also enhance their cognitive development.

expression of thoughts and feelings, and physical demands. It all interacts with in there dynamic process. Children learn about

Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-

It provides the physiological blueprint for the way our brain processes learning and memory. There are two major recent advancements in technology that help us physically see how all these parts work and function together. Structural neuroimaging is the process of creating a anatomical picture of the brain. It can show the size and shape of the brain as well as areas of lesions or brain damage (Gluck, Mercado, Myers, 2014). Common structural neuroimaging techniques used today are computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). While they all work to create a 3D image of your brain, the each have their own unique image to show. The traditional x-ray only providing one image at one angle, the CT scans allow for multiple images of “slices” or crosses through the body and this allows you to see the anatomical structure of the body in three-dimensional space (Gluck, Mercado, Myers, 2014). The MRI works in a similar way although it uses magnetic waves to create electrical currents in the brain, allowing you to create an image of size and/or shape of the brain. The newly improved MRI or the DTI measures water diffusion in the brain tissue where several groups of axons are physically viewing the connections of the brain (Gluck, Mercado, Myers, 2014). Functional neuroimaging has allowed researchers to view the activities and functions in the brain and track the amount of oxygen being carried in the blood, thus allowing them to view areas where the brain is high function or low function. Technology like the positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) are ways in which we can psychically see these areas of activity. The method I find most intriguing is the CT scan for it was the first of its kind in brain imaging. Personally experiencing a CT scan in the past, it always amazes me how quick and accurately the

Having a “Brain Healthy Lifestyle” (Bend, 2014) is made up of several different categories that include “physical health, brain fitness, and vitality” (Bend, 2014) as well as “balanced nutrition, stress management, and mental stimulation” (Sharpbrains, 2014). Our physical health plays a major part in brain function. Exercising our bodies, eating well, and getting the proper amount of sleep has a huge impact on our physical health. “Our brain requires 25% of the blood that is pumped by your heart. The healthier your heart is, the healthier your brain will be” (Bend, 2014). Cognitive fitness is demonstrated by uses of vocabulary, thinking, perception, and attention. It is crucial to make it a normal everyday practice to challenge our brains through new activities. Taking part in a cooking class or learning to

Play can also improve cognitive development because children can play in a relaxed environment and manner. This allows creativity, exploration, and independence comes into effect. When new things are being discovered, this is an open end learning opportunity. Lastly, play can help with children’s