Final answer:
There is a connection between increased myelination after birth and critical periods in brain development, as myelination contributes to brain efficiency during times when the brain is particularly receptive to learning. The critical periods coincide with heightened levels of learning and plasticity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, there is a connection between the continued increase in myelination in the brain after birth and critical periods. The process of myelination is essential for efficient nervous system functioning and is not completed until adolescence. Myelination helps to increase brain efficiency and functionality, which has a significant impact during critical periods when the brain is highly responsive to learning new skills and abilities.
Critical periods are phases in development where the brain is particularly sensitive to certain environmental stimuli that are necessary for development. Adaptive changes such as synaptic pruning and neuroplasticity also contribute to these processes.
For example, during these critical periods, a child's brain is developing rapidly, and experiences such as language acquisition have a profound impact. Johnson and Newport's study indicated critical periods influence the acquisition of second languages based on the maturational state.
Furthermore, neurogenesis— the creation of new neurons — continues into adulthood and also plays an important role in learning and memory. The presence of new neurons in the hippocampus, a key brain area for memory and learning, supports the brain's capacity to learn during critical periods and throughout life.