Premium Essay

Early Childhood Brain Development

Submitted By
Words 1184
Pages 5
One thing you can do as an individual staff member would be to learn about your students and be empathetic to things that happen. Understand that some of these students who are in poverty may not always be on time for class or they may not be able to bring in things to share with the class. You as a teacher need to learn about each and every child in your class and offer help if needed to those families that are in need. Another thing you could do is to send child development information or nutrition information home with your students for parents to read. A parent may have time at the end of the night to read something that you send home so if you send home information they can use they may benefit.
“On December 10, 2015, President Obama …show more content…
It hold so much knowledge and personality of a person that one could say your brain is you. Research over the past several years has given us insight into the practices that oversee early brain development and how those procedures relate to behavior. “Brain development begins a few weeks after conception and is thought to be complete by early adulthood” (Twardosz, 2012). In postpartum development the environment plays a vital role in nurturing development, and the connections between genetics and experiences explain most developmental outcomes (Twardosz, 2012). The development of social brain functions in infancy is characterized by the following key principles: (a) self-relevance, (b) joint engagement, (c) predictability, (d) categorization, (e) discrimination, and (f) integration (Grossmann, 2015). The brain’s innate plasticity, or ability to establish and modify patterns of thinking and behavior, is most malleable in the first several years of life, though neuroplasticity extends for years after (Twardosz, 2012). Learning takes place throughout life, yet the brain is most sensitive to experiences early on, both positive and negative (Twardosz, 2012). This means that some of the most crucial parts of brain development is dependent on the experiences that are happening daily in your …show more content…
The principles underpinning the early development of social brain functioning remain largely unexplored (Grossmann, 2015). Neuroscience in particular has an ever-growing body of knowledge related to children’s development in a number of domains from movement to language, attention, problem solving, and even ethics, especially targeting the unique period of neural growth from prenatal development through age 8 (Sripada, 2012). The field of neuroscience expands each year, along with research in child development, education, science, and economics (Twardosz, 2012). “Social and emotional capacities are being recognised as equally as important as cognitive capacities as indicators of healthy brain development and as predictors of academic achievement” (Twardosz, 2012). Because areas of the brain develop, organise and become functional at diverse times, there are periods where specific experiences are more effective to enable development in the precise area (Sripada, 2012). These finding show that early childhood teachers make a huge impact on brain development. They show that every interaction that I child has during the early years of life impacts how their brain

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Tbi in Ecse

...TBI in Early Childhood: Impact of Early Intervention on Childhood Development TBI in Early Childhood: Impact of Early Intervention on Childhood Development Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a growing concern for children in their preschool years. Children of young ages undergo many developmental changes during the ages of two through five. These changes are significant for their growth and maturity. They include cognitive, social, and behavioral development as well as development in executive functioning. Sustaining a traumatic brain injury during these years can pose as a direct risk of developmental deficits in any or all of these areas. After an extensive literature review, it was found that most of the previous research resulted in areas of consensus. These areas compare the how TBI severity and the age of the TBI effect developmental. Results from multiple studies show that the more sever the TBI, the more prevalent the developmental deficiencies (Gerrard-Morris, A., Taylor, H., Yeates, K., Walz, N., Stancin, T., Minich, N., & Wade, S., 2009; McKinlay, A., Grace, R., Horward, L., Fergusson, D., & MacFarlane, M., 2008; Morse, S., Haritou, F., Ong, K., Anderson, V., Catroppa, C., & Rosenfeld, J., 1999; Taylor, H., Swartwout, M., Yeates, K., Walz, N., Stancin, T., & Wade, S., 2008). It is also found that children injured in early childhood are more vulnerable to developmental deficits, According to Taylor et. al (2008), a younger age at the time of injury is a predictor...

Words: 1624 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Life Span Develpoment Paper

...Life span Development paper LiveDream Susan Cohen PSY/375 06/22/15 Introduction The development of Infancy and Early Childhood is a combination of biological, psychological and emotional changes that are developed in an individual between the time of birth and to the end of adolescence. During this span of birth and early childhood the most critical stages of development are at work laying down the foundation that will affect the learning skills and social, cognitive and emotional development. Aspects that surround an individual during this very important time will either nurture or hinder their progress of development. The aspects that are detrimental to infancy and early childhood development are the environment of one’s family, cognitive development through early childhood education and parenting styles. Families Affect The Development of Infants And Young Children. “Families are the first to teach infants and young children, which fosters development during infancy and early childhood. Early relationships help infants develop a working model, a set of assumptions that become a frame of reference for later life” (Berger, 2011, p. 189). During infancy and early childhood the effects of the family environment is the most influential part of an individual’s development. The culture and environment of the family bring the infant experiences that that either nurture or set back their development. An infant that lives in an environment where he or she receives expectations...

Words: 611 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Early Child Development

...Early Child Development Infancy and Early Childhood Development The brain of infants and early childhood development is empty and absorbable like a sponge throughout adulthood. At infancy stage, the brain develops according to exposure to verbal expression exposure and visual physical observation exposure. The human being brain will utilize the exposures throughout the developing stages in life (Feldman, 2010). Parenting interaction with an infant and environmental condition affects the way infants develop. Hence, it is fundamental to set positive structure from the beginning because the exposure cannot be undone when raising a child. It is significantly important to provide a nurturing environment. The Affect Families Have On Infants and Childhood Development From infancy, the brain instantaneously goes through developmental change. The progress is an effect of genes and the environment the infant is exposing to and as an outcome of experiences. Early childhood experiences have two categories; experience-dependent and experience-expectant. Experience-expectant refers to the development of the nervous system and it is predictable to develop in a certain way. Standard cognitive growth is reliant of the positive type of environmental exposure. With the exception of any type of fetal damage to the brain, in order for the experience-expectant to be within usual range of development; when an infant is exposed to a loving gesture (as an example), it should respond...

Words: 1122 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Analyze Brain Influence

...Running head: Analyzing Brain Research Influence Analyzing Brain Research Influence Kouyate, Kelly EDU5001-8 Northcentral University November 25, 2014 The first few years of a child’s life are very crucial. It’s a time that a child’s brain functions are developing. That is from conception to at least five years of age. There are many important factors that assist with the development of the brain such as: genetics, nutrition, physical interactions and the emotional interactions between parent and child. The brain is comprised of three main structures the brain stem, cerebrum and the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is divided into four different lobes and made up of neurons. The frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital lobes control various parts of the cognitive function. Your fine and gross motor skills, vision and memory are controlled by the various functions of the brain. During this time of a child’s brain development many things are happening to the function of the body. This is why children are capable of learning so much in their early years because their brain is functioning at a rapid and active pace. That is why when I child enters this world the learning process for them begins. How a child is treated and nurtured at the beginning of conception can play a role in the development of the brain functions and can cause a lasting effect on a child through adulthood...

Words: 1380 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Infancy and Early Childhood Development

...Infancy and Early Childhood Development The brain of infants and early childhood development is empty and absorbable like a sponge throughout adulthood. At infancy stage, the brain develops according to exposure to verbal expression exposure and visual physical observation exposure. The human being brain will utilize the exposures throughout the developing stages in life (Feldman, 2010). Parenting interaction with an infant and environmental condition affects the way infants develop. Hence, it is fundamental to set positive structure from the beginning because the exposure cannot be undone when raising a child. It is significantly important to provide a nurturing environment. The Affect Families Have On Infants and Childhood Development From infancy, the brain instantaneously goes through developmental change. The progress is an effect of genes and the environment the infant is exposing to and as an outcome of experiences (Feldman, 2010). Early childhood experiences have two categories; experience-dependent and experience-expectant. Experience-expectant refers to the development of the nervous system and it is predictable to develop in a certain way. Standard cognitive growth is reliant of the positive type of environmental exposure. With the exception of any type of fetal damage to the brain, in order for the experience-expectant to be within usual range of development; when an infant is exposed to a loving gesture (as an example), it should respond cognitively. Experience-dependent...

Words: 1106 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Early Childhood Trauma Essay

...Childhood trauma is significantly more dangerous than adult trauma because it occurs in a time where the brain is still developing. Therefore, changes can occur in the brain as a result of the trauma that makes using drugs more appealing as a method of escape. In the 1960s James Olds conducted a study in which he implanted electrodes in the hypothalamus into the brains of rats. The research showed that when the rats learned to push a button they were able to stimulate their hypothalamus, similar to the behavior of drug addicts (Olds, n.d.). While addiction can occur in any person, at any age, the link between early childhood trauma exposure, and substance abuse cannot be ignored. One study estimates that “nearly 35 million children in the...

Words: 523 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Case Study

...other children and adults. As brain functioning develops, children learn how to process simple thoughts and emotions into more complex reasoning skills. They will also become more experienced, thoughtful, and less impulsive as they mature. Children will experience multiple stages of development and growth until they finally reach adulthood. In the case of the 6 year old mentioned above, the child cannot be held responsible for the crime that was committed because the factors that determine brain development and functioning have not fully matured. Legally, no child under the age of 7 can be held accountable for their actions until all of the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial portions of brain and behavioral functioning have fully matured. First of all, the biosocial aspect of development in early childhood relates to brain development and thought processes. A majority of the brain is already present and operational by age 2 (Berger, 2014, p.219), however, the prefrontal cortex of the brain is considered to be the last part to mature. This region of the brain helps with planning, impulsivity, and the coordination of thought. With having an undeveloped prefrontal cortex, children can be impulsive without worrying about their endangerment or the consequences of endangering others (Berger, 2014, p.234). When the prefrontal cortex matures, it reflects how a child will then develop theories and ideas. But, during the early stages of brain development, thoughts,...

Words: 963 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Brain Development

...ISSUE BRIEF November 2009 Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development What’s Inside: • How the Brain Develops This issue brief provides basic information on brain development and the effects of abuse and neglect on that development. The information is designed to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect in children who come to the attention of the child welfare system. • Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development • Implications for Practice and Policy • Summary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Administration on Children, Youth and Families Children’s Bureau Child Welfare Information Gateway Children’s Bureau/ACYF 1250 Maryland Avenue, SW Eighth Floor Washington, DC 20024 800.394.3366 Email: info@childwelfare.gov www.childwelfare.gov Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development www.childwelfare.gov In recent years, there has been a surge of research into early brain development. New technologies, such as neuroimaging (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging or MRI), provide increased insight into how the brain develops and how early experiences affect that development. One area that has been receiving increasing research attention involves the effects of abuse and neglect on the developing brain, especially during infancy and early childhood. Much of this research is providing biological explanations for what practitioners...

Words: 8037 - Pages: 33

Premium Essay

The Nature Versus Nurture of Cognitive Development

...The Nature Versus Nurture of Cognitive Development The brain is the central control for the human body; it receives, organizes, and responds to all stimuli that are detected outside and within the body. However, what makes the human brain superior to all other organisms is its ability to carry out cognitive processes of which less complex organisms are not capable. As Myer states, “cognition refers to all the mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating” (176). In order for the brain to achieve the ability of cognition, its development must begin in the prenatal stage of life. The anatomy of the brain, environmental influences, and genetics are crucial factors that influence cognitive development. The brain has been classified not only as the control for physical processes but also the control center of the mind. As neuroscientists continue to make discoveries about how the brain develops and how it works, they have begun to understand the effect the brain has on cognitive development (Meadows 316). The brain is made up of neurons. These neurons are the part of the brain that is responsible for cognition. As Meadows states, “neurons are large as body cells go, with a cell body that has many filaments of tissue protruding from it, called the dendrites. One protrusion is longer that the others, and this is called the axon (328). The brain is composed of a network of neurons made of thousands of fibers that join up with each other to...

Words: 1655 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Lifespan Development

...During infancy and early childhood development there is rapid growth in a three developmental domains; biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial. A wide range of rapid growth and development occur together in all three domains often overlapping each other, from body changes to growth patterns, to brain development and the five senses, to language and information processing to emotional development. These different stages set the foundation for proper development and well being throughout the progression of a child's life. There are certain aspects in each domain that can affect proper development during infancy and young children, such as the roles of families, parenting styles, and education; each of which can have a profound influence on a child's development in all three domains. The Effects of Families During Infancy and Early Childhood Families play a very important crucial role during infancy and early childhood. Starting with the biosocial domain development during infancy, an infant's brain development is rapid and highly dependent on experience. For instance, during the first two years in which the brain is rapidly developing experience begins to shape the brain through postnatal rise and fall of synapses (Berger, 2011). In particular, right after exuberant expansion of the brain, if no experience is taking place, some dendrites will fade away because of the lack of being used. In the first two years, a child relies heavily on his or her family to involve and introduce...

Words: 1361 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Early Childhood Development

...Child Development: Early Childhood Shaniela Jarrett DEP2004 Child Development: Early Childhood From the immediate beginning of every human beings life they develop in one way or another. The beginning of a human beings development and all its aspects starts with infancy and progresses for the duration of one’s life span. Toddlers and young children are thought to be influenced by their everyday surroundings. An adolescent’s cognitive and social aspects of development are formed and shaped from an early age, along with their perception, language, motor skills, and speech. A young adolescent’s lifecycle is heavy influenced by the involvement of their parents and family members, this is crucial to a young child’s life. Once an adolescent becomes of age to attend school, they will also start to adjust to the atmosphere of the school they are attending as well as the instructive setting in the school; this will also play a role in an adolescent’s cognitive development and social skills. The body’s growth in the first couple years of early childhood stage with attenuate into a slower growth pattern. A child adds approximately 2 to 3 inches in stature and around 5 pounds in weight each year, girls will be slightly smaller than boys. From Infancy to Early childhood, one with experience skeletal growth, between the ages of 2 and 6 will grow approximately 45 new pineal, where cartilage will strengthen forming various parts of the skeletons. Children start losing their primary tooth...

Words: 1224 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Nt1310 Unit 2 Part 2 Essay

...process information. Another standard I would us is Standard 2- Providing a safe and Healthy environment for children. These standards contribute to early childhood programming because it is important to provide children with a safe, nurturing, happy environment in order for them to grow and develop. Having children actively engaging in the arts allows...

Words: 564 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Language and Communcation

...The Development of Language and Communication from Infancy to Preschool 510: Early Childhood Development Cleveland State University Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine how language and communication develop in early childhood, from in uerto through preschool. And how language is the expression of human communication through which knowledge, belief, and behaviors’ develop, and experiences are explained and shared. Other areas to be examined is the developmental milestones functional skills that are age specific tasks that children achieve during various levels of development, infant brain development, and attachment. Although each milestone is age appropriate, children development varies from child to child taking in to consideration every child is unique. Introduction In a study conducted (2009) on babies language learning starts from the womb. From the first day a newborn cries they already bear the mark of the language their parents speak. In another dramatic finding of this study is that not only are human neonates capable of producing different cry melodies, but they prefer to those melody patterns that are typical for the ambient language they have heard during fetal life, within the last trimester of gestation. Even through prenatal exposure to their native language was known for some time to influence newborns, scientist now believe that it happens much earlier than the preconceived notion that surrounding language affected sound production...

Words: 2405 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Early Childhood Education: Article Analysis

...important time (Aspyn Institute, 2013). Finding the funding to help everyone in our world to afford childcare is becoming more aware. The importance of early childhood education will not only keep you out of trouble and cause higher achievements, but it will also help your...

Words: 779 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Effects Parents Have on Early Childhood Education

...The Effects Parents Have on Early Childhood Education Grand Canyon University: UNV501 January 8, 2014 The Effects Parents Have on Early Childhood Education Berger, E. (1999). Supporting parents with two essential understandings: attachment and brain development. Early Childhood Education Journal, 26(4), 267-270. Early childhood development begins as an infant. A parent should love and have supportive interaction with their child to enhance the development. A child learns more and is willing to engage more when they are shown love. Attachment from the parents allows brain development. This article has been in the peer-reviewed process which is a collection of scholars. Martinez-Pons, M. (2002). Parental influences on children’s academic self-regulatory development. Theory Into Practice, 41(2), 126. Parents play a tremendous part in early childhood development. Parents are social models for their children which can begin children’s self-regulatory development. Children learn by observing their parents and/or siblings which allows them to be models. If the parents are unsure of how to promote self-regulatory development they can be taught how to enable their children goals. This is a peer-review article that is scholarly under Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Sukhram, D. & Hsu, A. (2012). Developing reading partnerships between parents and children: A reflection on the reading together program. Journal of Early Childhood Education,40,115-121 Reading...

Words: 351 - Pages: 2