Click on the tab Reviews to read my reviews, I do not know if there is a way to leave a comment there so I will post a blog entry for each review and if you choose to leave a comment you can just leave it here!
Peer Response to Review: How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development
Hi Jessica,
Before even beginning to read your review I was instantly drawn to its title because I find reading up on the brain to be a fascinating topic. In fact my sister’s wrapping up a master’s degree on the very subject, which has been so insightful for her she says, in her work as a corporate leadership coach. The brain is absolutely capable of way more than we expect of it!
Also, I happen to have in my educator’s repertoire, a fabulous book titled, A Mind at a Time by Dr. Mel Levine which talks about kids’ different minds, how they need to be continuously stimulated, and how they all learn differently – so your review is right my alley and it makes complete logical sense.
While reading your review I found myself nodding my head a lot in agreement to what you were saying and reiterating about the importance of keeping those neurons fired up at an early age to instil continued stimulation throughout a child’s thirteen years of school. The idea of ECDP is definitely one great way of ensuring a good start. I recall during one of my courses years ago, where we learned about learning disabilities and how a child can be born perfectly healthy but if lacking in the basic need of nurturing (physical and mental) attention they can in fact become learning disabled.
Perhaps you have heard about the stories of little babies in some Chinese orphanages who were left all day and night in their dirty cribs with absolutely no attention? It was a horrific documentary that broke my heart and at the same time angered me because these babies ‘futures (mental development and social/emotional wellbeing) were severely jeopardized. Not only were these kids’ brains ‘pruned away’ but so were their physical bodies’ muscle development. Your reference to ‘lose it or use it’ implies a lot here. In fact I compare a neglected child to a seed that has taken root, however the soil it’s in is poor and worse yet, sun and water is rarely provided. Thus, the struggle one must endure becomes extremely challenging.
The act of neglect on children goes on every day I realize and so I think if this topic of yours, on the effects of early experiences on brain development was made more public then maybe parents would take better care of how they raise their children and would try to benefit their kids as much as possible. I know some daycares are more like babysitting centers than anything else so your articles’ suggestion to enrol kids at an early age in ECDP in schools with proper trained professionals would make sense.
It must’ve been very interesting and a fantastic learning opportunity for you to have worked all those years with such children whose needs were not met. I commend you because I think it would be a heart wrenching job to do, yet so rewarding because you’re in a position to make a difference in those children’s lives. You sound like a passionate and caring person Jessica who feels the need to learn as much as possible in order to give as much as you can : )
Thank you for sharing this article with me, it only reminds me more of how important it is to keep young minds active and challenged in a positive and stimulating environment. I believe adults can have a tendency to underestimate a child’s capability, e.g. (baby talk) because when given the right tools and nurturing environment they thrive - as do trees with healthy soil, sunlight and water. All the best in your TAB : )
This is an interesting issue. At my TAB placement we have a total of seven students in the entire school. In the school we only have a single kindergarten student and she is included in many of the same activities that the rest of the older students do. I have thought several times about whether or not this will result in her being a more advanced student a few years down the line when she goes to a larger school and is in a class with students that are all her age. I think that in her case it will benefit her, but I could see that for some students it could be too overwhelming to be learning with older students. Either way, what students are exposed to at an early age is definitely going to play a large role later in their lives. Emily
Peer Response to Review: How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica,
Before even beginning to read your review I was instantly drawn to its title because I find reading up on the brain to be a fascinating topic. In fact my sister’s wrapping up a master’s degree on the very subject, which has been so insightful for her she says, in her work as a corporate leadership coach. The brain is absolutely capable of way more than we expect of it!
Also, I happen to have in my educator’s repertoire, a fabulous book titled, A Mind at a Time by Dr. Mel Levine which talks about kids’ different minds, how they need to be continuously stimulated, and how they all learn differently – so your review is right my alley and it makes complete logical sense.
While reading your review I found myself nodding my head a lot in agreement to what you were saying and reiterating about the importance of keeping those neurons fired up at an early age to instil continued stimulation throughout a child’s thirteen years of school. The idea of ECDP is definitely one great way of ensuring a good start. I recall during one of my courses years ago, where we learned about learning disabilities and how a child can be born perfectly healthy but if lacking in the basic need of nurturing (physical and mental) attention they can in fact become learning disabled.
Perhaps you have heard about the stories of little babies in some Chinese orphanages who were left all day and night in their dirty cribs with absolutely no attention? It was a horrific documentary that broke my heart and at the same time angered me because these babies ‘futures (mental development and social/emotional wellbeing) were severely jeopardized. Not only were these kids’ brains ‘pruned away’ but so were their physical bodies’ muscle development. Your reference to ‘lose it or use it’ implies a lot here. In fact I compare a neglected child to a seed that has taken root, however the soil it’s in is poor and worse yet, sun and water is rarely provided. Thus, the struggle one must endure becomes extremely challenging.
The act of neglect on children goes on every day I realize and so I think if this topic of yours, on the effects of early experiences on brain development was made more public then maybe parents would take better care of how they raise their children and would try to benefit their kids as much as possible. I know some daycares are more like babysitting centers than anything else so your articles’ suggestion to enrol kids at an early age in ECDP in schools with proper trained professionals would make sense.
It must’ve been very interesting and a fantastic learning opportunity for you to have worked all those years with such children whose needs were not met. I commend you because I think it would be a heart wrenching job to do, yet so rewarding because you’re in a position to make a difference in those children’s lives. You sound like a passionate and caring person Jessica who feels the need to learn as much as possible in order to give as much as you can : )
Thank you for sharing this article with me, it only reminds me more of how important it is to keep young minds active and challenged in a positive and stimulating environment. I believe adults can have a tendency to underestimate a child’s capability, e.g. (baby talk) because when given the right tools and nurturing environment they thrive - as do trees with healthy soil, sunlight and water. All the best in your TAB : )
Sherri
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting issue. At my TAB placement we have a total of seven students in the entire school. In the school we only have a single kindergarten student and she is included in many of the same activities that the rest of the older students do. I have thought several times about whether or not this will result in her being a more advanced student a few years down the line when she goes to a larger school and is in a class with students that are all her age. I think that in her case it will benefit her, but I could see that for some students it could be too overwhelming to be learning with older students. Either way, what students are exposed to at an early age is definitely going to play a large role later in their lives.
Emily