Cognitive Neuroscience Approach

The cognitive neuroscience approach links the central nervous system with cognitive development.

It identifies how specific brain regions support cognitive functions.

For example, brain scans have helped researchers identify two distinct neural systems that support implicit and explicit forms of long-term memory.

First, implicit memory is the unconscious recall of information related to habits and skills.

This type of memory develops early, as shown by behaviors such as an infant kicking a familiar mobile to make it move.

Second, explicit memory is the conscious recall of information, such as names, facts, or events.

Explicit memory emerges when infants show delayed imitation of complex behaviors.

This is because infants are required to store and later retrieve a mental representation of an observed action.

Unlike implicit and explicit long-term memory, working memory holds information being actively used and develops around 6 to 12 months.

This happens as the prefrontal cortex and its connected circuits mature.