Describe neural plasticity, and give an example of why it is helpful to a developing infant's brain.
What will be an ideal response?
- Plasticity is the ability of the brain to modify its structure and connections based on experience. The "plastic" part of the term refers to "malleable" or "modifiable."
- Plasticity is greatest during the first two years of life, when neural connections are being established in an infant's brain.
- Should trauma occur during that period, the brain can "reorganize" itself by assigning functions from damaged areas to nondamaged areas.
- This capacity for realignment would be helpful if an infant suffered trauma such as an accident or brain injury.
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