Kelly+W


 * Brain Development in Early Childhood **



How Does the Brain Develop? v Brain is made up of neurons that send messages across synapses v Neurons and synapses create pathways that form “wiring” of the brain v No, new neurons are formed after birth v Ongoing process of wiring and re-wiring the neurons v New synapses are being formed and others are broken v A baby could have up to 1,000 trillion synapses in the brain! v A newborn’s brain ¼ size of an adult v Brain becomes bigger as the neurons grow in size (Zero to three, 2009) v Brain grows in order-top to bottom, least complex (brain stem) to more complex (cortex)

Figure 1. Neurons and connections

  
 * Figure 2. Synaptic density in the human brain **

· Neurologists have found that “critical periods are windows of opportunity that nature flings open, starting before birth, and then slams shut, one by one, with every additional candle on the child's birthday cake” · Neuroscientists do not fully understand the biological basis for these critical periods and do not yet know the exact length of time these periods occur · One theory is how the synapses are being formed-each child’s brain becomes more apt to meet the challenges of his or her environment **__ Vision- __** The blockage of vision prevents the neurons from making connections, which discourages a child’s ability to see. A research study done at Harvard found that if the condition of cataracts found at birth is not treated immediately, it can lead to permanent blindness.
 * <span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">What is the critical period of brain development? **<span style="color: #ffc000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">
 * Areas of Development Affected by the Critical Period of Development **
 * __ Movement- __** It takes up to two years for cells in the cerebellum to form functional circuits (i.e. posture and movement). The more a body part moves, the stronger the circuit becomes. In order to strengthen this area, stimulation and activity are needed! Families need to take their child to the park, grocery store, or even just the backyard to help develop these skills.
 * __ Language- __** When children are born they do not know any particular language. At first they hear a series of sounds. The constant repetition of these sounds forms the connections of the brain. To fully learn a language a child will have to learn it by ten years of age. Otherwise, the window of opportunity closes, which is why it is easier for a child than an adult to learn a second language. Many schools have added this area into their curriculum in the elementary grades.
 * __ Emotions- __** The brain contains a limbic system with an almond-shaped structure called the //amygdala//, which scans incoming sounds and sights for emotional content. The brain also contains a //neocortex// which helps humans to remember information. Both structures work together to create emotions. The pathways are programmed by parent genes before birth, but it is the reinforcement of emotions that parents need to provide to their children (Staphley).

<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> A long time ago scientists believed that when a baby was born, his or her brain was complete. The ability of the brain to develop was based on genetics and there was not much that could be done about it. Newer research has disproved this theory. Recent equipment and technological advances have allowed a closer look at the brain. It is now proven that the environment affects brain development. We know now that early experiences impact the development of the brain and influence the way in which the circuits of the brain become “wired.”According to Sean Brotherson, “a baby’s brain is a work in progress” (Brotherson, 2005).It is also important to note that scientists currently know more about the impediments to typical brain development than they do about how to accelerate or enhance development (Education Commission of the States, 2009).
 * __<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> How Brain Research Has Changed Over Time __**

<span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> <span style="color: #e36c0a; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191; msothemecolor: accent6; msothemeshade: 191;"> Supporting Healthy Brain Development <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Educate parents on the importance of early experiences <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">ü More parenting education classes offered today <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">ü Parenting styles and beliefs have changed-occasionally talking to babies is not the norm anymore <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Prevent abuse and neglect <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">ü More high quality home visiting programs available today <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Ensure adequate nutrition both prenatally and after birth <span style="color: #00b050; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">ü Programs such as WIC (Women, Infants, Children) can be beneficial for children because they are receiving food full of nutrition (Hawley, 2000) <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

Here are some tips for how to effectively establish relationships with infants and toddlers and to promote early brain development: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="color: #00b0f0; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">Learn to read the physical and emotional cues of the infants and toddlers in your care. Recognize the individuality of each child and sensitively respond to these differences.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">Assign a //primary caregiver// to each infant and toddler in your program to work with the child and his/her family.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">Observe and record the infant and toddler behaviors that are indicative of early brain development. Share these observations with other caregivers who play an important role in the children's lives.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">Accept infants' and toddlers' strong emotions as signs of their desire to communicate with you and the world. Respond quickly and appropriately to these communications; give meaning to these emotional communications.
 * <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'msoFareastFontFamily;">Find a balance between being over involved and being under involved; recognize the child's current developmental status and create opportunities for each child to reach beyond his/her abilities (Gable, 2008).
 * **<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Brain Research ** || **<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Teaching Practice ** ||
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The brain performs functions simultaneously and is enhanced by an environment filled with stimuli. || <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Educators are providing learning opportunities in a variety of ways- independent, small group ||
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The brain is designed to perceive and generate patterns. || <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Educators provide learning opportunities based on student’s prior experiences. ||
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Emotions can be crucial to the storage and recall of information. || <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Educators provide classroom environments that promote positive attitudes. ||
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Learning is enhanced by challenge and inhibited by threat. || <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Educators try to provide experiences to extend thinking for students and at the same time create environments in which students feel comfortable sharing ideas. ||
 * <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Each brain is unique. || <span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Educators need to use teaching styles that meet the needs of the students i.e. kinesthetic, visual, tactile, etc. ||

How much do you know about Brain Development? Take the quiz to find out! [] Here is a video on Early Childhood Brain Development! []

REFERENCES [] Brotherson, S. (2005). Understanding Brain Development in Young Children. Retrieved from [] Education Commission of the States. (2009). //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Brain Research //. Retrieved from: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[] Gable, S. (2008). //Nature, nurture and early brain development//. Retrieved from: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[] Hawley, T. (200). //Starting Smart//: //How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development//. Ounce of Prevention Fund and Zero to Three.

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. (2000). Retrieved from: [] Staphley, Randee. Childhood Brain Development. Retrieved from: [] Zero to Three. (2009). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from: <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">[]