Flourishing in the First Five Years

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 Plasticity and Potential: What Early Childhood Educators Can Learn from Educational Neuroscience

Chapter 2 Ten Key Facts About How the Brain Develops

Chapter 3 Nurturing the Brain and Body: Nutrition and Movement

Chapter 4 Cultivating Optimism: How Positive Emotions Support Learning

Chapter 5 Playing with Language: The Power of Conversation and Reading Aloud

Chapter 6 Thinking, Creativity, and Problem Solving

Chapter 7 Addressing Risks to Healthy Development

Conclusion

Glossary

References

This book crosses the research, theory, and practice divide because it supplies seminal and current research from neuroscience at an understandable level and links this to everyday strategies teachers, parents, and caregivers can use to make a difference in children's lives. Key are the authors' use of cognitive assists, the recurring AEIOU model based on the learning cycle, and the simple animal stories that help children learn to be the boss of their brains.
This book captures what is known from neuroscience, reminds the reader of the importance of caring adults, and reminds each of us to celebrate and respect diversity. When the authors say readers will be energized and inspired by this book, they are correct. Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down.