IN Mt. Lebanon Fall 2019 | Page 34

INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EARLY EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
BRAIN
DEVELOPMENT
AT YOUNG AGES
T
he most rapid period of growth for the brain is from
birth to age 10 and is documented as being the
“window of opportunity.” It is during this time that
the brain learns and retains information best. The
more experiences and exposure to different things during this
time, the more connections are made within the child’s brain.
Therefore, learning is taking place with the ability to retain the
information. Tiger Woods is a great example—he was probably
born with a natural gift for golf. However, if his father wouldn’t
have provided him with the experience of golf starting at a
young age, would he have been the phenomenal golfer that he
became?
The brain changes physiologically as a result of experience.
The functioning ability of the brain is determined by the
environment in which the brain operates. The brain has
an amazing ability to constantly change its structure and
READY.
SET.
GOddard!
We help children explore
and discover their interests
through play in a safe
environment. We provide
ample opportunities for
fun learning experiences,
promoting a lifelong love of
learning in literacy, science,
technology, engineering,
arts and mathematics.
NOW ENROLLING ALL AGES,
INCLUDING KINDERGARTEN!
PETERS TOWNSHIP (VENETIA) • 724-941-6464
PITTSBURGH (UPPER SAINT CLAIR) • 412-564-3600
function in response to external experiences, emotion, and
the environment. The brain at this age can be compared to
soft plastic, and is like a sponge. There are dendrites within the
brain, which are connections between brain cells. These can
grow at any age, but have optimal growth during the “window
of opportunity” period. The young, plastic, sponge-like mind
is craving experiences, interaction, and information in order to
form as many dendrite connections as possible.
Please note that parents and teachers should provide as
many connections as possible, at the earliest age possible. This
helps create a foundation for the young learner to fall back on
and recall information from any point in his/her life, whether it
is at 7 or 70. The brain constantly seeks connections between
the new and the known. There is a trick in creating dendrites,
and that is providing a safe, secure, loving environment as well
as an environment rich in experiences. Another trick is that
emotion creates a dendrite connection with respect to the child’s
experience as well. By creating this rich, positive, and active
learning environment, the child will have a positive experience
to either recall at a later date or to further develop a skill.
An enriched environment gives children the opportunity
to make sense out of what they are learning. Learning is a
process of active construction by the learner, and an enriched
environment gives children the opportunity to relate what they
are learning to what they already know. The brain is essentially
curious and is innately social and collaborative. A child’s learning
is enhanced when the environment, whether at home or at
school, provides them with the opportunity to play, discover,
make messes, make mistakes, discuss their thinking out loud,
and work collaboratively with their peers, parents, and teachers.
We have fun providing that environment here at The Goddard
School. The active learning philosophy formed through
extensive research by Jean Piaget supports brain development.
Children learn best in a non-threatening environment in which
they feel safe, secure, and loved and are provided with an
abundance of experiences. Have fun providing these important
experiences with your child and know that their minds are
VERY impressionable. Make the most out of this early childhood
timeframe with your little ones!
This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo.
GoddardSchool.com
The Goddard Schools are operated by independent franchisees under a license agreement with
Goddard Systems, Inc. Programs and ages may vary. Goddard Systems, Inc. program is AdvancED accredited.
© Goddard Systems, Inc. 2018
32
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
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Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard
School®, located at 825 East McMurray Road in
Peters Township, 724.941.6464, and 655 Painters
Run Road, Upper St. Clair, 412.564.3600. Goddard
offers both full- and part-time infant/preschool/
kindergarten programs. For more information, visit
www.goddardschools.com/Pittsburgh.