PRUNING_sandbox

Myelination isn’t the only way the brain develops.

Synaptic pruning eliminates neurons that are not used.

Use them or lose them!

Neurons we use are saved + strengthened.
Neurons we don’t use are tossed out.
Think of electricity traveling along neurons like walking through fresh snow: the more you do it, the easier it is to travel that path.
Which is why practice makes perfect is so true (but also kind of annoying).

Watch this 4 minute video from Dr. Dan Siegel to learn more about pruning and myelination.

If you have an extra 4 minutes, watch this video from SciShow on neural plasticity.