By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D.
LA JOLLA, California — I am sure that many of you are reading this via your smartphone or computer. Like me, perhaps you are still adjusting to a world where the news is not just something a paperboy leaves on your doorstep, but a whole ecosystem of digital devices, notifications, websites and cable channels. And for some of you, maybe this transformation has left you feeling like you were born too early—raised and prepared to live in a world that no longer exists, and struggling to adjust to the rapidly changing world we live in now.
Our brains have specific windows in which certain types of learning and development can occur more easily. From birth, a baby’s brain cells keep making new connections and discarding others. Our early development is critical, influencing our experiences throughout our lives.
The brain contains 100 billion neurons. The pattern of wiring between these nerve cells is shaped by what the baby encounters. The best example of this is language. An infant’s brain is wired to learn all the sounds of human language. Sounds a child doesn’t encounter in infancy are more difficult – if not impossible – to reproduce at a later age. This is why people have accents when learning new languages as adults. The neural circuits specific to acquiring language have atrophied by age six or seven. This is similar to the mechanism which makes it best to learn music or other complex activities when young. What wires a child’s brain is repeated experience. Thus nature influences nurture, which influences nature—ad infinitum.
As I am writing this, I wonder when the window in my brain is still open to learn. When reading about quantum mechanics or crypto currency, it takes effort from my brain to comprehend what I am reading; often I give up, drawing a blank. What happened? Most new information enters the brain where there is already something similar it can be attached to. If there is nothing (terra incognita) our neurons give up. To start new neurons with new synapsis to connect them not only takes time and effort, but mostly repetition to ensure that the new neurons remain connected; for they easily disconnect, which is why whatever I learn today, I forget tomorrow…unless I keep repeating the information.
There are six main reasons for seniors to resist learning new technology: lack of perceived benefit, negative feelings about social media, fear of the unknown, fear about internet safety, lack of time to practice, and cost.
The latest research suggests, to my surprise, that a child should be introduced to computers between ages three and five. This apparently is a great time to start teaching the basics of how to use a mouse and a keyboard. By elementary school, children can be introduced to coding. This way they will perfect cognitive maps to sow seeds for more complex knowledge later.
Considering this early developmental window, we can see how mastering new technology is complicated for seniors, who have no experience with technology as a baseline. Seniors have a more tenuous frame of reference to enable them to absorb new technology. I have been accused by younger friends of resisting learning new technology; this is not true. The truth is, when facing something which seems too daunting, anxiety kicks in and interferes with new neuron formation. Instead of the “flight or fight” response, I freeze. What seems so simple to technology natives feels at times insurmountable to us, technology immigrants.
On the other hand, a 2015 Harvard University study suggested that the ability to sustain attention improves with age. While younger adults excel in the speed and flexibility of information processing, adults approaching middle age have a greater capacity to remain focused. We excel at identifying others’ emotions in our late forties. The ability to learn and understand historical events and political ideas reaches its pinnacle around age 50. Peak vocabulary skills are obtained in our late sixties.
So, be kind to yourself. You are not programmed for technology. Only learn what you need in your daily life and work. Use repetition to enforce your neurons to stay put. Remember, your brain can only stay focused for about 45 minutes at a time, so take a break before continuing. Finally reach out and ask your grandchildren for help; they will be happy to oblige. After all, learning is meant to be a reciprocal experience.
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© Natasha Josefowitz. This article appeared initially in the La Jolla Village News. You may comment to natasha.josefowitz@sdjewishworld.com