Brain Development in the Early Years

This course will increase understanding about the critical nature of brain development in the early years for behaviour, future health and capacity to learn. Preservice teachers will learn how the brain develops from conception through the early years of life. They will examine the role of the environment in gene expression, the development of key brain structures, neural connections and myelination, and growth spurts in the brain. The course will cover experience dependent plasticity, the effects of non-optimal environments on brain development, and the central role of relationships for behaviour, health and learning outcomes. Preservice teachers will be required to report on how their learning in this course might be applied in their professional work setting.