The part of the frontal lobe just behind the forehead that is responsible for executive processing

Skills that skills enable us to consciously control and organize our thought processes.

The process of creating connections (synapses) between neurons.

Chemicals that accomplish the transmission of signals from one neuron to another at synapses.

The process of eliminating unused synapses.

The ability of the brain to change in response to experience, throughout the lifespan.

The process by which an insulating layer of a substance called myelin is added to neurons.

The part of the brain that regulates attention.

The ability to focus cognitive activity on the important elements of a problem or situation

Parts of the brain where sensory, motor, and intellectual functions are linked

A brain structure that is involved in the transfer of information to long-term memory.

The structure that connects the right and left hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.

The process through which brain functions are divided between the two hemispheres of the cerebral cortex.

The tendency to rely primarily on the right or the left hand

The pattern and rate of growth exhibited by a child over time.

One of several ‘soft spots’ in the skull that are present at birth but disappear when the bones of the skull grow together

The process of hardening by which soft tissue becomes bone.

A measure of physical maturation based on x-ray examination of bones, typically the wrist and hand bones

The capacity to sustain motor activity.

The growth and change in ability to perform both gross motor skills (such as walking or throwing) and fine motor skills (such as drawing or writing).

Glands (including the adrenals, the thyroid, the pituitary, the testes, and the ovaries) that secrete hormones governing overall physical growth and sexual maturing.

Provides the trigger for release of hormones from other glands; thus, it is sometimes called the master gland.

The series of hormonal and physical changes at adolescence that bring about sexual maturity.

Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland at the beginning of puberty that stimulate the development of glands in the testes and ovaries, which then begin to secrete testosterone or estrogen.

Onset of menstruation.