The development of higher brain functions eventually fixes the lower functions into a more stable and persistent state, which still retains some flexibility and dynamism, but which eventually "sets" and grows stubborn.
This is most apparent in the contrast between child learning and adult learning, and accounts for why children are so much better at learning "intuitive" skills like new languages and artistic modes of expression like music.
The child, without full development of the executive functions, has recourse to an instinctual and intimate connection to a given skill; the fundamentals of the skill become largely automatic and natural, and as the child ages and advances the skill, begins to think more reflexively in refining it.
Learning advanced skills as an adult is a very different process, and requires much more reflexive thought.
I can reach for a water bottle and instantly open the threaded cap without thinking about it, as I learned to do so at an early age. However upon recently learning to put together various pipes, and work with various tools, which feature threads that allow twisting and tightening in the exact same direction as the bottle, I have to momentarily reflect on what I am doing logically and then proceed.
