There is a common English adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks: as people get older they become entrenched in their habitual behaviour and less adept at new challenges. Activities such as learning to play a musical instrument or mastering a new language are much easier when we are children, but such tasks are not insurmountable post-adolescence, even if they do require more effort to master as we mature. The historical view is that the brain is receptive to learning only during childhood, and is then closed to new concepts and influences and can only use what is locked in during this formative period. However, if this were true, we would be incapable of acquiring any new skill sets or adapting to new environments. Therefore, there must be some room for adaptability.
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