The Growing Brain (TGB)

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.
Participants will learn skills and strategies for:

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

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

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

The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old

This training includes 7-core modules:

  • 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

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Pre Course Work: Interweaving Race, Ethnicity, Culture, and diversity into all we do with Children and Families

    • Why Race, Ethnicity, and Culture Matters Upfront
  • 2

    Unit 1: Brain Basics

    • Introduction: Brain Size

    • Objective 1: Learn the Parts of the Brain and Their Functions

    • Objective 2: Understand How Nerve Cells Communicate and Connect

    • Objective 3: Understand Neuroplasticity and the Role of early Experiences in Making Connections Between Areas of the Brain

    • Closing: Brain Development Charades

    • Untitled survey
  • 3

    Unit 2: Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development

    • Introduction: Review of The Basics

    • Objective 1: Identify Factors That Affect Brain Growth and Development

    • Objective 2: Understand the Effect of Stress on Brain Development

    • Objective 3: Learn About the 5 R's for Supporting Health brain Development

    • Closing: Start, Reflect, Continue

    • Untitled survey
  • 4

    Unit 3: Communication and Language Development

    • Introduction: Communicating Without Words

    • Objective 1: Understand Communication Milestones From Birth to 12 Months

    • Objective 2: Understand Communication Milestones from 12 to 36 Months

    • Objective 3: Understand Communication Milestones From 3 to 5 Years

    • Objective 4: Learn Strategies for Supporting Early Communication Skills

    • Objective 5: Understand Multilanguage Learning

    • Closing: Words and Pictures

    • Untitled survey
  • 5

    Unit 4: Cognition and Executive Functioning

    • Introduction: Cognitive and Executive Functioning

    • Objective 1: Learn How Cognitive Development Unfolds

    • Objective 2: Learn Ways to Support Cognitive Development in Young Children

    • Objective 3: Learn About Executive Functioning and Its Critical Role in Cognitive and Overall Development

    • Objective 4: Learn Ways to Support the Development of Executive Functions

    • Closing: Cognition and Executive Functioning

    • Untitled survey
  • 6

    Unit 5: Social-Emotional Development

    • Introcduction: Social Emotional Deveopment

    • Objective 1: Understand How Social Emotional Development Unfolds in the First 5 years and How to Support it in Young Children

    • Objective 2: Identify Areas of the Brain Involved in Social Interactions and Emotional Reactions

    • Objective 3: Understand the Role of Relationships and Attachment in Social-Emotional Development

    • Objective 4: Understand the Effect of Stress on Social-Emotional Development

    • Objective 5: Understand the Development of Empathy

    • Closing: Social-Emotional Development

    • Untitled survey
  • 7

    Unit 6: Understanding Behavior

    • Introduction: Understanding Behavior

    • Objective 1: Understand Basic Brain Anatomy

    • Objective 2: Understand the Connection Between the Various Areas of the Brain and How These Connections Are Expressed Through Behavior

    • Objective 3: Understand the Key factors That Influence Behavior

    • Objective 4: Understand the Root causes of Challenging Behavior and Effective Strategies for Helping Children With These Difficulties

    • Closing: Understanding Behaviors

    • Untitled survey
  • 8

    Unit 7: The Everyday Play

    • Introduction: Everyday Play

    • Objective 1: Learn About the Development of Play

    • Objective 2: Learn About the Difference between Free and Guided Play

    • Objective 3: Learn About the Core Skills Children Develop Through Play and How to promote These Skills

    • Closing: Play

    • Untitled survey
  • 9

    Unit 8: Reflection and Integration

    • Building Reflection into all we do with Children, Families, and Professionals

    • Integration: Bringing it All Together

    • Monday Morning

    • Closing Thoughts: Whats Next?

    • Overall Course Evaluation