Enhancing Brain Development in Infants and Young Children

Doris Bergen, a distinguished professor of educational psychology emerita at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, is the coauthor of Educating and Caring for Very Young Children, Second Edition. Lena Lee is a professor of teacher education at Miami University and directed a grant-funded project for low-income preschool enhancement. Cynthia DiCarlo is professor of education at Louisiana State University and executive director of the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. Gail Burnett, owner of Miss Gail Music, received a Teacher’s Choice Award for exceptional quality preschool curriculum.

• ContentsForeword ix Sandra J. StoneIntroduction 1Purpose of This Book 3Overview of the Book 3Acknowledgments 41.  The Brain Building Process 5Prenatal Brain Development 6Susie’s Pregnancy and Care 6Infant Brain Development 9The Noah Family and Their Premature Infant Drew 9Toddler Brain Development 12Amata’s Activity Level 12Preschool Brain Development 14The Mumbara Family 14Kindergarten/Primary Years Brain Development 17Janie’s 2nd-Grade Year 17Brain Development Issues for Children with Special Needs 20Arthur’s Reading Difficulties 20Fostering Brain Development: Role of Family and Early Childhood Professionals 22Summary 22Questions for Discussion 23Suggestions for Further Reading 232.  Fostering Brain Development in the Infant Curriculum 24Min 24Daniel 24Lola 25Review of Brain Development at the Infant Age Level 25Fostering Brain Development at the Infant Age Level 26Curriculum Priorities at the Infant Age Level 27Sample Curriculum Activities 28Planning the Infant Day 35Helping Parents Provide Brain-Enhancing Environments 36Enhancing the Brain Development of Min, Daniel, and Lola 38Questions for Discussion 40Suggestions for Further Reading/Listening 403.  Fostering Brain Development in the Toddler Curriculum 41Tommy 41Miguel 41Simeon 42Review of Brain Development at the Toddler Age Level 42Fostering Brain Development at the Toddler Age Level 42Sample Curriculum Activities (Can Be Adapted for Preschoolers) 45Planning the Toddler Day 53Enhancing the Brain Development of Tommie, Miguel, and Simeon 55Questions for Discussion 57Suggestions for Further Reading 574.  Fostering Brain Development in the Preschool Curriculum 58Jesús 58Ruby 58Billy 59Review of Brain Development at the Preschool Age Level 59Curriculum Priorities at the Preschool Age Level 59Sample Curriculum Activities (Can Be Adapted for Toddlers or Kindergarten/Primary Children) 62Planning the Preschool Day 72Enhancing the Brain Development of Jesús, Ruby, and Billy 72Questions for Discussion 75Suggestions for Further Reading/Listening 755.  Fostering Brain Development in the Kindergarten/Primary Curriculum 76Eden 76Maigret 76Ying 77Review of Brain Development at the Kindergarten/Primary Age Level 77Curriculum Priorities at Kindergarten/Primary Age Level 79Sample Curriculum Activities (Can Be Adapted for Preschoolers) 81Planning the Kindergarten/Primary Day 91Enhancing the Brain Development of Eden, Maigret, and Ying 91Questions for Discussion 95Suggestions for Further Reading 956.  Fostering Brain Development with Technology-Augmented Materials 96Nancy 96Jason and Edwin 97Derick 98Types of Technology-Augmented Devices for Children 98Review of Potential Effects of Technology-Augmented Activities on Brain Development 99Curriculum Priorities for Technology-Augmented Activities 102Sample Curriculum Activities for Children (May Be Modified for Other Age Levels) 103Planning the Technology-Augmented Environment 106Adapting Technology-Augmented Materials for Nancy, Jason and Edwin, and Derick 107Questions for Discussion 110Suggestions for Further Reading 1107.  Contemporary and Future Issues Related to Children’s Brain Development 111Emerging Issues Influencing Essential Conditions for Healthy Brain Development 111Resilience in Uncertain Times 116The Role of Early Childhood Professionals in Supporting Children’s Brain Development 117Questions for Discussion 118Suggestions for Further Reading 118References 119Index 124About the Authors 132