Unit 1: The Growing Brain – The Basics
During this session, we will look at how the brain grows and develops from conception to 5
years old and describe the main parts of the brain and their functions. As well as explore how
you, as an early educator, can support healthy brain development in early childhood when the
brain is the most plastic, or receptive to change.
• Objective 1: Learn the parts of the brain and their functions
• Objective 2: Understand how nerve cells communicate and connect
• Objective 3: Understand neuroplasticity and the role of early experiences in making
connections between areas of the brain.

Unit 2: The Growing Brain – The Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development
During this session, we will discuss how different factors can promote or inhibit healthy brain
development.
• Objective 1: Identify factors that affect brain growth and development
• Objective 2: Understand the effect of stress on brain growth and development
• Objective 3: Learn about the 5 R’s for supporting healthy brain growth and development

Unit 3: The Growing Brain – Communication and Language Development
This session explores how communication skills develop over the first 5 years.
• Objective 1: Learn about key milestones in language development and the brain’s role in
this growth from birth to 5 years old
• Objective 2: Learn strategies for supporting early communication skills
• Objective 3: Understand multilanguage learning and how to support this process

Unit 4: The Growing Brain – Cognition and Executive Function
The goal for this session is to understand how young develop cognitive and executive functions
in relation to the developing brain.
• Objective 1: Learn how cognitive development unfolds
• Objective 2: Learn ways to support cognitive development in young children
• Objective 3: Learn about executive functioning and its critical role in cognitive
and overall development
• Objective 4: Learn ways to support the development of executive functions 

Unit 5: The Growing Brain – Social-Emotional Development
This session focuses on how social-emotional development unfolds in the first 5 years and the
brain’s role in this process.
• Objective 1: Understand how social-emotional development unfolds in the first 5 years
and how to support it in young children
• Objective 2: Identify area of the brain involved in social interactions and emotional
reactions
• Objective 3: Understand the role of relationships and attachment in social-emotional
development
• Objective 4: Understand the effect of stress on social-emotional development
• Objective 5: Understand the development of empathy 

Unit 6: The Growing Brain – Understanding Behavior
The goal for this unit is to understand how children’s behavior is influenced by the brain.
• Objective 1: Understand basic brain anatomy
• Objective 2: Understand the connection between the various areas of the brain and how
these connections are expressed through behavior
• Objective 3: Understand the key factors that influence behavior
• Objective 4: Understand the root causes of challenging behavior and effective strategies
for helping children with these difficulties. 

Unit 7: The Growing Brain – Everyday Play
During this session our goal is to understand the stages and types of play that unfolds in early
childhood, the role of the brain in this process, and how to maximize children’s learning through
play.
• Objective 1: Learn about the development of play
• Objective 2: Learn about the difference between free and guided play
• Objective 3: Learn about the core skills children develop through play and how to
promote these skills