The Growing Brain: From Birth to Five Years Old

Decades of research indicate that the early years of life are a period of exponential brain development, characterized by great opportunity and vulnerability, dependent on the relationships and environment in which the child is growing.

This innovative training focuses on giving trainers evidence-informed strategies with which to prepare early childhood providers for their vital role in building healthy brains. The curriculum fills a unique niche by providing a comprehensive understanding of how the brain develops, along with ways the provider can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to 5 years old.

Participants will learn skills and strategies for:

1. Teaching early childhood providers about brain development (architecture and neurobiology) to inform their practice

2. Supporting language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development

3. Reducing toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development of very young children.

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old

is comprised of seven 3-hour units.

Unit 1: Brain Basics Unit 2: Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development Unit 3: Communication and Language Development Unit 4: Cognition and Executive Function Unit 5: Social–Emotional Development Unit 6: Understanding Behavior Unit 7: The Everyday Play