Cognitive development of children can be defined as the development which helps them to develop their thinking, reasoning ability, and remembering and communicating. It is a complex process and is gradual keeping in mind various factors. Injury in the brain can interfere with this process which normally results in learning and behavioral problems. Awareness of the impacts of brain injuries on cognitive development enables parents and educators to give an appropriate level of support to children.
The Relationship between brain injury and cognitive development
It is the brain that is at the center in the cognitive development in a child. Brain injuries which may happen either in the birth act or in an accident or sickness may disrupt the functions of its information processing and retention capabilities. Depending on the region of the brain that is injured, these injuries can damage some of the higher intellectual abilities like memory, attention, language and problem solving.
It does not say that every brain injury manifests the same outcome. The injury affects cognitive development depending on the severity of the injury, the place and time of injury (e.g., whether the child is an infant, toddler, or older) among other factors. Early recognition and awareness of these effects makes the children reach their potentials.
Brain Injury Types and their Possible Conduct.
Brain injuries can be categorized into two categories broadly:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
They are caused by some external effects, which include falls, sport injuries or motor accidents. TBIs may result in the inability to focus, memory loss, and decision-making. Slowed up processing speed is also prevalent.
Non Traumatic Brain Injury
They are caused by predisposing factors, which are internalized and may include infections (e.g., meningitis), strokes or oxygen deprivation at birth. The children, who have non-traumatic brain injury, can experience difficulties in the communication, visual-spatial skills and general thinking ability.
The cognitive disturbance differs widely, with certain children exhibiting less observable effects as compared to others.
Changes In Behavior and Learning Problems
Brain injury may cause mental as well as behavioral alterations. Frustration, moodiness, or loss of concentration may be noticed by parents and pedagogues. Such alterations create difficulties in learning by children who may not be able to conform to academic requirements in schools or acquire new information.
Some of the basic learning problems are the difficulty in:
- Learning new information on different subjects.
- Resolving problems that have several steps.
- Comprehension and instructions.
- Social contact based on modification in communication or emotional control.
Behavioral adjustments can easily mix together with cognitive issues when children adjust to new hardships or eliminate misunderstood assumption.
The Plans of Accommodating the Cognitive Process After Brain Damage
Educating children with brain injuries is an essential part of the parents and educators. Divisions of larger tasks to smaller steps help to make learning easier by making instructions simpler and easing overwhelm. The repetition and routine are also supportive, that is why skills and the memory are reinforced with repeated practice, and a fixed routine helps to avoid confusion and stress.
Another useful strategy is to focus on the strengths of the child as it promotes the activities that would be in focus of the strengths, creating confidence and motivation and helping nurture the areas where child has the strengths. Also, the learning plans are developed with the participation of teachers or specialists on a one-to-one basis to accommodate the individual learning speed and needs of the child. Lastly, encouragement of social interaction by means of such activities as group learning or role-playing games not only builds their communication skills but their social ones, which is enhanced in terms of cognition and emotions.
The EI and Professionals Role
Brain injuries are effectively handled by quick diagnosing brain injuries by medical experts. They suggest tests to highlight the problematic areas and create a treatment program. Different professionals are often consulted in order to achieve better results in children development; occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists and neuropsychologists are among them.
Assist Children to Succeed
Awareness of issues that children with brain injuries have to one day be able to delight in is the initial step towards being able successfully in helping the children with brain injuries in the cognitive development. You may be a parent and an educator in which your actions present a good environment where children feel encouraged to study and develop. You might contact the experts or people in the area to find out how you can improve the services and chances of children in your local community. Combined, these will assist the children in their further cognitive development.
