Some time ago as part of my educational journey, I discovered the Center of the Developing Child which is a multidisciplinary team committed to driving science-based innovation in policy and practice located at Harvard University and led by Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D. As I explored the research related to early experiences and brain development, I found research related to three core concepts of early development which include: Experiences build brain architecture, Serve and Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry, and Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development. The basic architecture of the brain is constructed through a process that begins early in life and continues into adulthood.
(Center for the Developing Child, 20 2011).
One of the most essential experiences in shaping the architecture of the developing brain is “serve and return” interaction between children and significant adults in their lives. Learning how to cope with adversity is an important part of healthy development (Center for the Developing Child, 2011). I find these research topics interesting and exciting because as a infant/toddler teacher I realized I play an important role in providing positive early experiences for the very young children in my classroom that have the potential for positively shaping their brain architecture and also the potential to educate their parents on these topics and to provide them with resources and support helping them to do the same.
Advances in neuroscience, molecular biology, and genomics now give a much better understanding of how early experiences are built into our bodies and brains, for better or for worse. This research is important to the field of early childhood education in creating positive changes in policy and practice as well as to encouraging the youngest of children to develop the necessary foundations for future educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation (Center for the Developing Child, 2011). Please view the videos I am attaching as they are quite insigtful.
References
Center for the Developing Child. (2011). Multimedia Series: Three
Core Concepts of Early Development. Harvard University. Retrieved from http://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-core-concepts-in-early-development/
Hi,
ReplyDeleteSheila I enjoyed reading your post. I especially enjoyed the videos that you shared giving us a visual of the affects stress and things have on the body and brain and where it targets it. Learning how early experiences can affect children and their growth and development is very important. Thank you for sharing!