Final answer:
Synaptic pruning is a natural process in brain development, where unused dendritic connections are eliminated. It starts in the rear portions of the brain and moves forward. The frontal lobes grow rapidly during early childhood and play a role in planning, reasoning, memory, and impulse control.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pruning of unused dendritic connections during childhood begins in the rear portions of the brain and moves forward. This process, known as synaptic pruning, is a natural part of brain development and allows the brain to become more efficient and functional. During early childhood, the frontal lobes, which are associated with planning, reasoning, memory, and impulse control, grow rapidly. This growth follows Piaget's sequence of cognitive development, leading to significant changes in neural functioning and cognitive advances.