Chances are a child bathed in language from birth will learn to speak quickly. A baby whose coos are met with smiles, rather than impassivity, will likely become emotionally responsive. Over the past 20 years or more, neuroscientists have amassed a wealth of knowledge on the brain and its development from birth to adulthood. And they are beginning to draw some solid conclusions about how the human brain grows and how babies acquire language, sight and musical talents, and other abilities. The answer is uncertain.
Some findings hint at definite directions for education.
Others, stemming primarily from animal studies, are tentative at best. If you tell decisionmakers or parents, 'Your child will have a better brain if you do this or that,' then that seems to have a more seductive appeal than anything we educators can say. Edward Zigler Yale University. But a few points are clear. One is that the brain matters.