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Mastering Skills Requires Sensitive Periods
Certain motor skills, including driving, are significantly impacted by sensitive developmental periods, particularly during puberty. During this time, if individuals do not engage in activities requiring hand-eye coordination, they may struggle to develop instinctual responses necessary for those skills later in life. For example, learning to drive at an older age can inhibit the ability to instinctively navigate complex situations, such as merging onto a busy freeway. This phenomenon is also observed in animals, such as songbirds, where the inability to experience hormonal changes during critical learning periods prevents them from mastering essential skills, like singing, which is crucial for attracting mates. Additionally, during adolescence, the coexistence of fear and excitement plays a vital role in learning; experiences that are meant to be stimulating can be accompanied by fear, reflecting a complex emotional landscape that encourages growth and mastery.