jillio
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The brain's plasticity in early development does act as a "sponge". It's the old "use or lose it" adage when it comes to this window of opportunity.
ScienceMaster - Kenneth A. Wesson - Article_06
In short, it's easier to pick up things when you're a child than an adult. Adults continue to learn, of course but it's not the same thing when compared to a child's brain. Which is why late-deafened adults do well with hearing aids and cochlear implants than those who remain deaf all their life and not use the input sound and word on a daily basis to keep the brain "stimulated" which is why the high failure rates among deaf people who do not acquire the proper aural skill early on.
Easier, not impossible. Nor does it mean that the brain does not remain plastic. TBI victims have shown us that for any number of years. Plasticity has to do with the brain's adaptability.
The key is exposure. Deny an infant, from the moment of their birth, exposure to a language in a mode that they can perceive, and you have created a delay.
High failure rates of what? Speaking? And whether you realize it or not, the use of sign stimulates the brain in exactly the same way spoken language stimulates the brain. What...you think the brain goes stagnant without sound?