The Critical Period Hypothesis

The Critical Period Hypothesis suggests that there is a specific window of time during development, particularly in childhood, when the human brain is especially receptive to learning certain skills, like language. If exposure to these skills does not occur within this period, acquiring them later becomes much more difficult or even impossible. This idea emphasizes that early experiences play a crucial role in shaping our abilities, and missing out on key learning opportunities during this critical phase can have lasting effects on cognitive development and proficiency.