Brains are built so that they sense and remember the environment. Some of the changes in the anatomy and chemistry in the brain as the environment is sensed and remembered are under limited control of the individual and some of the changes are automatic.
The brain's ability to change in response to the environment does vary aver the ages. Early in life (like for the first 5 years), a human brain is designed to learn language. Also, the young brain builds copious connections. Later in life (like in the teens), those copious connections are pruned. (Literally, those that are not strengthened through practice die.)
When a brain enters adulthood, it retains the ability to change in response to the environment, but that ability is diminished. (It is true that continuing to be an active learner is healthy for adult brains. It is also true that it gets harder to learn as one gets older.)
We also know some factors of the environment that appear connected with healthy brain development:
Exercise-- Want to increase test scores? implement fitness-based PE... 60 minutes... everyday!
Reduce stress-- Want to increase test scores? Make the test less "high-stake."
Build emotional connection-- Want to increase test scores? Make the tests less "boring."
Human brains differ...
and differences depend on genes...
and physical environments...
and social environments.
Brain Rules
John Media gives us 12 rules to follow to be successful in school, work, and life. Here they are.
Rewired
