Enhancing Brain Development in Infants and Young Children - Strategies for Caregivers and Educators
June 22, 2020
Dr. Cynthia DiCarlo, professor in the School of Education, collaborated with Doris Bergen, Lena Lee, and Gail Burnett to publish Enhancing Brain Development in Infants and Young Children. This practical resource explains brain development from prenatal to age 8 with suggestions for activities educators and caregivers can use to foster children’s cognitive growth. The authors begin with the basics of brain development, and the issues that affect it, and then provide information specific to infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten to primary age levels. Educational activities are described as they relate to physical, language, social, emotional, cognitive, and academic progress relevant to brain development at each age level. Modifications of activities for young children with disabilities are included. The authors also discuss contemporary issues related to the future education of young children, including how technology-augmented experiences may positively and negatively affect children’s development.
“An indispensable book for educarers of young children, which comprehensibly blends brain development information with practical ways of actively engaging children to learn and develop. It brings brain research into the early years’ setting and highlights the vital work of educarers. The coherence of the book's structure with theory, vivid case studies, and explicit curricula connections clearly informs important points of discussion.” Eleni Loizou, associate professor of early childhood education, University of Cyprus
Book Features:
- Explains brain development concepts for practitioners and students.
- Recommends brain-enhancing experiences related to age-level brain development.
- Includes modified activities for children with special needs.
- Provides vignettes for context and to illustrate concepts.
- Includes questions to promote discussion and a deeper understanding of the content.
About LSU School of Education (SOE)
A school of the College of Human Sciences & Education, SOE offers undergraduate programs
for students who want to pursue a career as a pre-kindergarten through 12th grade
teacher or acquire dual certification in both traditional elementary and special education
classrooms. Besides providing graduate certification in early childhood education
and instructional coaching, SOE offers a master’s degree in arts, arts in teaching,
education (MEd), education in counseling (MEd), certificate of education specialist
(EdS) and PhD. The School’s mission is to prepare educational professionals to be
leaders, practitioners, and scholars knowledgeable in contemporary educational issues.
Visit the LSU School of Education.
About LSU College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE)
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, the School of Library & Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs, 18 graduate programs, and 7 online graduate degree and/or certificate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,120 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is committed to improving quality of life across the lifespan.