Explore Current Child Brain Research
• Name
• Institution
Introduction
The brain and how it functions is an area attracting research interest.
Interest in brain functioning runs exceptionally high in the neurodevelopment of infants in
their neurodevelopment.
Brain development begins before birth.
Unsurprisingly, brain development begins at different stages in life.
Building Brains
• Brain architecture is an ongoing process that starts
during pregnancy and continues throughout
adulthood.
• Early childhood experiences affect the architectural
quality by establishing a fragile foundation of
learning, behaviors, and mental health.
• At infancy, the brain creates millions of neural
connections.
• After infancy, the rapid proliferation of brain
connections ceases, allowing the brain to become
more efficient.
Developmental Domains
• Domains: Specific growth aspects
• Major development domains:
Physical
Cognitive
Language
Social-emotions
Physical Domain
• Encompasses physical changes
• Examples:
Motor skills (Gross and Fine)
Growth in size, weight, and strength
Development of the senses (hearing, seeing, feeling, and
tasting)
• Factors influencing physical development:
Nutrition
Genes
Illnesses
Language Development
• Communication ability begins in infancy.
• However, communication ability develops at a
different rate.
• Major aspects in language development are:
• Phonology: Mimicking sounds of a speech
• Pragmatics: Verbal and non-verbal communication in
social situations
• Semantics: Learning the spoken words
• Syntax: Learning grammar and constructing sentences
Cognitive Development
• It involves the milestone to nurture intellectual
ability and creativity.
• Major cognitive development stages:
Sensorimotor
Preoperational
Concrete operational
Formal operational
Playing-based Learning and Child Development
• Importance:
Developing social and cognitive skills
Motivating children to learn and discover
Develop literacy and numeracy skills
Improve the fine and motor skills
Nurture creativity and imagination
Brain Research Aspects That Apply to Education:
Poverty and Improper Nourishment on the
Childhood Development
• Poverty is the leading cause of unbalanced nutrition
• Poverty and unhealthy nutrition may hurt brand development and biological systems.
• Other impacts of poverty:
Widening achievement gaps
Hurts behavioral healthy
Erodes emotional wellbeing among the children
Brain Research Aspects That Apply to Education:
The Effect of Music and Art
• Music and arts are essential in early childhood development.
• Music and arts do the following
• foster creativity
• Language and communication skills
• Boost confidence
• Improve social skills
• Improves memory
• Develops the brain cells
Summary and Conclusion
• Brain development and functioning are areas attracting enormous research interest.
• Brain development involves four major domains including:
Physical
Language
Cognitive
Social emotions
• Brain research provides valuable information on developmental domains in early childhood education and promotes healthy
and normal development among children.
• Understanding brain functioning and development is instrumental when developing lesson plans and determining strategies
for teaching.
References
• Adbo, K., & Carulla, C. V. (2020). Learning about science in preschool: play-based activities to support children’s understanding of
chemistry concepts. International Journal of Early Childhood, 52(1), 17-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-020-00259-3
• Foster, E. M., & Marcus Jenkins, J. V. (2017). Does participation in music and performing arts influence child
development?. American Educational Research Journal, 54(3), 399-443. DOI: 10.3102/0002831217701830
• Fraser-Thrill, R. (2021). Major Domains in Child Development. https://www.verywellfamily.com/definition-of-domain-3288323
• Henderson, J., & Denny, K. (2015). The resilient child, human development and the “postdemocracy”. BioSocieties, 10(3), 352-378.
doi:10.1057/biosoc.2015.24
• Murphey, D. & Redd, Z. (2014). Five Ways Poverty Harms Children. https://oacas.libguides.com/c.php?g=702168&p=4990142
• Osher, D., Cantor, P., Berg, J., Steyer, L., & Rose, T. (2020). Drivers of human development: How relationships and context shape
learning and development1. Applied Developmental Science, 24(1), 6-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2017.1398650
Appendix
• https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/inbrief-science-of-ecd/
• https://www.slideserve.com/amara/four-student-developmental-domains
• https://stayathomeeducator.com/developmental-skills-for-preschoolers/
• https://theconversation.com/play-based-learning-can-set-your-child-up-for-
success-at-school-and-beyond-91393
