sensitive periods in development

Sensitive periods are specific times in development when the brain is especially receptive to learning certain skills or information. During these windows, experiences have a more profound impact on shaping abilities such as language, vision, or social skills. If the appropriate experiences don't occur within these times, it can be more difficult to develop those skills later. However, development is still possible outside these periods, but the process may be less efficient. Sensitive periods highlight the importance of timely experiences for optimal growth, emphasizing that early environmental influences can significantly influence future abilities.