Session 3 – Brain Development

Cognitive Development = Thinking and Learning Active neuron

Objectives Parents and participants will: Gain a basic understanding of brain development in young children Recognize the role you play in your child’s brain development for school and lifelong success

Icebreaker ***Please stand up and form a circle.*** Farm animals Types of homes Parts of a car Favorite activities for preschoolers Zoo animals Bodies of water Types of insects

Science of the Brain Brain Stem Cortex Cerebellum Limbic System Midbrain

The Window is Open! Visual (eyes) and auditory (ears) development – between birth and 4 years old Language development – between birth and 10 years old Physical and motor development – between birth and 12 years old Emotional and social development – between birth and12 years old Self-awareness and social interactions develop in the early years as well

Picture Your Synapse Sources: Diagram: Axon terminal Node of Ranvier Schwann cell Myelin sheath Axon Nucleus Dendrite Soma Neuron cell

How 4-year-olds Think and Learn They: Learn by doing Can count from five to seven items Can compare sets of items Can name four or more colors accurately Love being read to Like to label and classify the environment Can tell you their name, address and phone number May be able to copy their own names Draw people with basic large body parts (head, arms legs, trunk) Have questions about many things (death, sex, etc.) Source: The Developing Brain, Birth to Age Eight by Marilee Sprenger

How 5-year-olds Think and Learn They: Often exclude other children in play - best friends only Prefer playing in small groups Protect younger children Respect other people’s property Like to feel grown up, and often boast about themselves to younger, less capable children Understand and enjoy both giving and receiving Play well without adult supervision Need rules that are consistent and enforced for social behavior Source: The Developing Brain, Birth to Age Eight by Marilee Sprenger

How 6-year-olds Think and Learn They: Ask many questions See another's point of view (sometimes) Value quantity of work more than quality Are good starters but don’t always finish Can differentiate truth from fantasy Spontaneously group items Believe what they see to be true Give reasons Solve problems Can follow directions to make simple items Mix colors

Building Healthy Brains 1) Media and technology 2) Discipline 3) Helmets 4) Drink lots of water/eat healthy foods 5) Read 6) Do 7) Ponder and question to build your brain 8) Brain breaks 9) Neural scaffolding

Thank you for participating! Do you have anything you would like to share from last week’s session? Please remember your handouts! Shifting Gears