The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Year Old a Zero to Three Curriculum
Description
The greatest rate of brain growth takes place during the first few years, and this rapid development occurs at the same time a child is making critical connections with the outside world. The Growing Brain is an innovative course that explains how the brain develops step-by-step, neuron-by-neuron. The series of 7 in-person modules provides explanation of brain processes and the effects of outside influences, along with ways that healthy brain development can be encouraged in children from birth to 5 years
Target Audience
Early childhood professionals, EI providers, Pediatricians or someone whose work impacts a young child.
Course Format
The course will have 7 distinct sections. Each section will build off the last but attendance of the previous course is not mandatory for future courses.
Objectives
Unit 1 – The Basics
Goal: To understand how the brain grows and develops from conception through 5 years
Objectives:
- Learn the parts of the brain and their functions
- Understand how nerve cells communicate and connect
- Understand neuro-plasticity and the role of early experiences in making connections between areas of the brain
Unit 2 – The Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development
Goal: To understand key factors that affect brain development and how to support healthy overall brain development
Objectives:
- Identify factors that affect brain growth and development
- Understand the effects of stress on brain development
- Learn about the 5 R’s for supporting healthy brain development
Unit 3 – Communication and Language Development
Goal: To understand how communication and language skills develop in the first 5 years, the brain’s role in the development of these skills, and how to support them
Objectives:
- Understand communication milestones from birth to 12 months
- Understand communication milestones from 12-36 months
- Understand communication milestones from 3-5 years
- Learn strategies for supporting early communication skills
- Understand multi language learning
Unit 4 – Cognition and Executive Function
Goal: To understand who young children develop cognitive and executive functions in relation to the developing brain
Objectives:
- Learn how cognitive development unfolds.
- Learn ways to support cognitive development in young children
- Learn about executive functioning and tis critical role in cognitive and overall development
- Learn ways to support the development of executive functions
Unit 5 – Social-Emotional Development
Goal: To understand how social-emotional development unfolds in the first 5 years and the brain’s role in this process
Objectives:
- Understand how social-emotional development unfolds in the first 5 years and how to support it in young children
- Identify areas of the brain involved in social interactions and emotional reactions
- Understand the role of relationships and attachment in social-emotional development
- Understand the effect of stress on social-emotional development
- Understand the development of empathy
Unit 6 – Understanding Behavior
Goal: To understand how children’s behavior is influenced by the brain
Objectives:
- Understand basic anatomy
- Understand the connection between the various areas of the brain and how these connections are expressed through behavior
- Understand the key factors that influence behavior
- Understand the root causes of challenging behavior and effective strategies for healing children with these difficulties
Unit 7 – Everyday Plan
Goal: To understand the stages and types of play that unfold in early childhood, the role of the brain in this process, and how to maximize children’s learning through play
Objectives:
- Learn about the development of play
- Learn about the differences between free and guided play
- Learn about the core skills children develop through play and ow to promote these skills.