Roles in Brain Development
Advances in neuroscience have shown that quality early learning experiences and interactions with adults are critical to the young child's developing brain. For this assignment, you will begin by watching the three-part video series from Harvard University, Three core concepts in early development. As you watch, pay particular attention to the role of the adult, teacher, or caregiver in the child's brain development. Also, be sure to think about how this information translates to the learning centers discussed this week.
For this assignment, you may choose to write a three- to four-page paper (not including title or reference page). Your assignment must utilize at least one scholarly source in addition to the course textbook and web videos. Your paper, including the title and references page, should be formatted according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Using the video series and additional resources:
1. Discuss the importance of early learning experiences to the developing brain of infants and toddlers.
2. Describe three or more specific examples from the video of adults supporting cognitive development.
3. Summarize one or two specific teaching ideas or strategies from the videos for each of the learning centers discussed this week (i.e., literacy, manipulative or sensory, science, math, and blocks). Be sure that these are research-supported ideas or strategies that will help foster brain development.