The human brain develops new connections throughout our life, but many of the foundational connections occur during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. During this time there is rapid synaptogenesis, which is the formation of synaptic connections in the brain. There is also rapid myelination of neuron’s axons which aids processing speed. These two key processes, synaptogenesis and myelination, aid in our cognitive, intellectual, and language development. Sensation and Perception Before discussing these three concepts, it is important to understand how we sense and perceive the world around us. The process of sensation and perception can be understood through three different perspectives: nativist, constructivist, and ecological. The nativist perspective stresses the nature side of things. This theory states that infants and children have an innate ability to sense and understand the natural world. On the other hand, the constructivist perspective falls on the nurture side. This theory emphasizes the importance of interacting with and learning from the environment. Finally, falling between the first …show more content…
From the view of both the constructivists and the ecological model, we must form new synapses as we interact with our environment. The more we interact, the more synapses form, and the more we know. This information is important for me to understand since I would like to work with children in a counseling setting. Keeping in mind the importance of learning in regard to perceiving, I can help my students build new connections in their emotional regulation skills and coping mechanisms. Knowing that connections don’t appear overnight, I can make sure to help them practice and strengthen their connections, and hopefully prune the connections related to unhealthy behaviors. Intertwined with theories of sensation and perception are the theories of