Early Learning and Executive Function

1. South Lake GRADS
Miss Green

2.  Are AMAZING!
 They are learning even before birth.
 A child’s first year is crucial for building the brain.
 Their interactions with parents, childcare
professionals, caregivers, teachers, and other caring
adults play a key role in brain development.

4.  In the years from birth to 3rd grade, children gain
physical and social skills, and develop emotionally and
cognitively.
 Nurturing the whole child during this time is essential
in preparing them for the challenges they will face in
the 21st century.

5.  Sets the foundation.
 Developing babies and toddlers become aware of and
then make sense of the world.
 It is during this time that we can maximize each child's
learning potential.

6.  Is the time for caregivers, (all) to observe and track
each child’s development closely.
 Each child develops at their own pace
 It is important to talk about the developmental
milestones at every visit.
 Any delays and what to expect next

8.  Families are a child’s first, most important and life-ling
teachers.
 They are responsible for them 24 hours a day, no matter
what, until the children grow up.
 Family and community traditions, languages, and activities
are the foundation for children's learning and
development.
 Children build their identities from the people,
communities and places in their lives.

9.  Relationships
 Play
 Active exploration
 Nurturing relationships
help children become
secure, confident, and
communicative people.
 They play to express their
zest for living
 Learning through hands on
interaction they use all
their senses, creativity and
imagination.

10.  Each child has strengths
and talents, as well as
areas where they will
need extra support
 They learn and grow at
their own speed.
 Some will have health
care needs, disabilities,
or delays that may effect
how they learn and grow.
 It is important to support
children where they are
and help them in the
next areas of
development.

11.  Children learn best when they are healthy, safe, and
free of hunger.
 WIC, food banks, school lunch programs.
 Pregnancy visits and Well-child visits
 Every day, balances nutrition, adequate sleep, and
physical activity help children grow and set the stage
for healthy habits and learning.
 Safe environments for life and play. Adults for help.

12.  Build on prior learning and development
 They learn in the same way that they build a tower of
blocks, it will stand as long as it has a sturdy base.
 The steps in growth and learning may span several
ages as they build up.

13.  Growth and development in one area influences
and/or depends on other areas.
 No one area of development is more important than
another.
 A child’s physical and cognitive development reinforce
each other.

14.  Many children learn two or more languages at the
same time.
 “dual language learners”
 Children who learn two or more languages benefit by:
 Having a higher level of thinking and reasoning, better
problem solving, and listening skills
 They may also experience “silent periods” because they
are absorbing the sounds and words of multiple
languages.

15.  Provide books, pictures, and labels that reflect
language.
 Use pictures, gestures, and props as needed.
 Encourage families to share language, culture, songs or
stories.
 Explain the differences between home and care setting.

16. A skill that acts like an airport’s air traffic controller who
manages the arrivals and departures of dozens of airplanes on
several runways.

17.  Working memory
 Inhibitory control
(effortful)
 Mental flexibility
• hold and manipulate info
in our heads, over short
periods of time
• filter thoughts and
impulses to resist
temptations & distractions
• adjust to changes,
demands, priorities, or
perspectives

18.  Encouraging your child
to try different ways to do
things
 Playing hide and search
 Games that require
“rules”
 Asking what they are
doing, feeling, and why
 Sharing your own
feelings and doings.
 Involving your child in
cultural activities
 Talking with your child
in multiple languages
 Problem solving with
them in daily activities
 Non- judgmental
questions
 What else could you do?
What do think is best?

19.  Helps children learn to:
 Reason logically
 Exercise judgment
 Control impulses
 Plan
 Identify goals and work to achieve them
 Understand what is happening and how to make
adjustments.

20.  Improves school readiness
 Better attention and social skills.
 Low skills predict delinquency, drug dependence and
criminal behavior
 It CAN be strengthened if you WORK at it!

21.  Does it create a sense of belonging? (names, alike faces,
cultures, family)
 Safe and organized, inviting and engaging?
 Give the child opportunities to explore, wonder, and try
new things? (inspire curiosity, take initiative)
 Appropriate for the age and stage of child?
 Physically active play? Different things to hear, feel,
indoors and outside?

22.  We will be answering these five questions?
 1. What has your child done that has surprised you with a new
ability, skill, or understanding?
 2. How does your child go about trying something new?
 3. What does your child really enjoy doing?
 4. How does your child respond to new situations or
challenges?
 5. Who among your family and friends does your child enjoy
spending time with? What are some of the things that person
does with or teaches your child?