Final answer:
A sensitive period of development is a specific time in a child's life when they are highly receptive to certain types of learning or experiences. It is a time when a particular development occurs most easily.
Step-by-step explanation:
A sensitive period of development refers to a specific time in a child's life when they are particularly responsive and receptive to certain types of learning or experiences. During a sensitive period, a particular development occurs most easily compared to other times. These periods may relate to various areas of development, such as language acquisition, sensory development, or social-emotional skills.
For example, between the ages of 0-6 years, children have a sensitive period for language acquisition. During this time, they are more likely to pick up multiple languages and become fluent speakers because their brains are particularly receptive to language learning. This understanding allows parents and educators to provide appropriate instruction and learning opportunities during specific sensitive periods to optimize a child's development.