Features of cognitive processes in children

The structural basis of the age dynamics of cognitive processes is the changes in the cyto- and fibroarchitectonics of the associative and projection sections of the neocortex. An important part of development is the differentiation in this field of types of nerve cells, the growth of their connections and the complication of acquired neural ensembles. Structural and functional organization of the child's perceiving system is formed for a long time, up to the youthful age.

Cognitive processes in children under 6 years old

The reaction of a newborn to a light stimulus is very local. Immediately after the appearance of the visual function provides only one projection cortex. Intercentral ties are not observed in this period. But already in the 2-3-rd month of life the baby has a complication of cognitive processes. Specific components of visual responses are recorded outside the projection area, that is, at 2-3 months of age, the children begin to form the basis of visual perception. With the advent of a clear system organization, the transition of visual perception into intellectual cognitive development is associated.

Since the 6th month of life in the event-related potentials, there are components that indicate the connection to the cognitive activity of the temporal and frontal regions. In the first 3-4 years of life, the work of cortical areas in the process of perception of the child is small. But specialization begins to grow very rapidly, reaching its peak at 6 years.

Cognitive changes in younger schoolchildren

Development of cerebral cortex in children 6-7 years of age is determined by qualitative cognitive changes. As sensory processes develop, younger students are marked by a transition from the original parameter of novelty as the main unit of attention to a more complex stage. The child begins to form on the basis of an evaluation of the various signs of the choice that is significant in each particular situation. Emotional type of activation of the subcortex provided a readiness at the beginning of school age. At the end of this stage of development, it is replaced by activation, based on the evaluation of information characteristics of external stimuli. At the child of 6-7 years the neurophysiological mechanisms of the organization of voluntary attention qualitatively change. This is due to the development of a system of controlled activation, the formation of functional development of nerve centers in the course of activity.

Mental activity of 7-8-year-old child is realized due to generalized, non-selective activation processes. Therefore, their regulatory role determines cognitive activity and is poorly expressed. This is manifested in the absence of a regional-specific activation asymmetry, depending on the type of cognitive tasks. The lack of uniformity of activation patterns in children is evidenced by the absence of legitimate differences between right-handed and left-handed groups, which have different lateral functions.

Cognitive processes in 9-12 year olds and adolescents

Regulatory activation mechanisms are characterized by increased reactivity and stable functional asymmetry. The latter has a regional-specific character and is formed precisely at the age of 9-10 years. Differences in cognitive-activation asymmetry between left-handers and right-handed people begin to appear. The level of synchronization of cerebral bioelectrical activity is increasing, the functional alignment of cortical areas, specific to different types of activity, begins.

Despite the complication of the system of sensory stimulus analysis in 9-12 years, the mechanisms of its classification and categorization continue to be immature. The performed analyzes showed that such immaturity is caused by the peculiarities of the left frontal region. In the 10-12-year-old child, the posterior associative zones are also involved in the classification of the elements of the image, which constitutes his identification, in addition to the frontal regions.

At the adolescent stage of development there is a reorganization of the functioning of the central nervous system. Increased activation of the cerebral cortex and a decrease in the role of mechanisms of regulation of local activation in the implementation of systemic activity are noted. Between the ages of 14 and 17, the interhemispheric activation differences continue to deepen. However, the functional specialization of the components of the α-range( inherent in adults) is formed only to adolescence.