critical periods
Key learning phases
Critical periods are windows of time during development when an organism is especially sensitive to particular environmental influences.
The concept appears most often in neuroscience and psychology: there are critical periods for language acquisition, vision development, and social bonding.
Outside these windows, the same experiences have far less effect.
Children who aren't exposed to language during the critical period may never fully acquire it.
The related term *sensitive period* suggests more flexibility—optimal timing rather than absolute deadlines.
- imprintingRapid early learning attachment
- brain developmentMental faculties emerging over time
- language acquisitionDeveloping communication ability
- first wordsInfant's earliest speech
- baby talkSimplified speech for infants
early learning · learning curve · maturation · myelination · Konrad Lorenz · sensitive period · attachment theory · nature vs nurture · puberty · window · psycholinguistics · sensory development · epigenetics · proprioception · cognitive development · developmental milestones · executive function · timing
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