Author Question: Examine the effects of long-term and extreme stress on children's ability to learn. What brain ... (Read 114 times)

justinmsk · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Examine the effects of long-term and extreme stress on children's ability to learn. What brain structures are involved? How are they affected by stress?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Analyze the roles of the prefrontal cortex and limbic system in the play years. What are their functions? How do they differ? What changes occur in a child's behavior as a result of a maturing limbic system and prefrontal cortex?

What will be an ideal response?

ApricotDream · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Permanent deficits in learning and memory could result from the release of too
many stress hormones in the hypothalamus. This could lead to the destruction of
some neurons of the hippocampus, the central memory processor. Children who
are often terrorized may suffer brain damage or impaired memory and delayed
logical thinking.

Answer to Question 2

The prefrontal cortex is the executive of the brain, essential to planning, analyzing,
and complex thought. The limbic system controls the expression and regulation of
emotions and processes memory. As the prefrontal cortex matures, sleep becomes
more regular, temper tantrums decrease, uncontrollable crying or laughing
decreases, as does impulsiveness. As the limbic system matures, memory
improves and nightmares decrease, as do irrational fears.