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Optimizing Brain Development
The first few years of a child’s life are critical for healthy brain development. Brain development begins during the prenatal period and continues through early childhood. Although the brain continues to develop into adulthood, the first eight years builds the foundation for learning and success (CDC, 2021). Brain development depends on many factors such as, prenatal care, experiences, and exposures to toxins and infections. “Nurturing and responsive care for the child’s body and mind is the key to supporting healthy brain development” (CDC, 2021). Positive and negative experiences help shape a child’s brain.
How the brain grows is highly affected by the child’/ s experiences with people and the world. Children depend on interactions with parents and their caregivers to be responsive to their needs. Children thrive in environments where they can explore and play in a safe environment. Their needs ought to be met and not neglected. They do not need to be exposed to stress. As a parent and/or caregiver to support healthy brain development you can constantly talk to the child, read to your child, meet their needs, and offer them a safe place to explore and play. Speaking and reading to children increase their language and communication skills. “Nurturing a child by understanding their needs and responding sensitively helps to protect children’s brains from stress” (CDC, 2021). Exposure to stress can negatively affect brain development. When children are at risk, it can cause them a delay in accomplishing developmental milestones. They will distrust people if their needs are not constantly being met.
This topic is important to me because in the school that I work at we have a high population of students who needs are not being met. When they get into the classroom, before I can teach them anything I have to meet their needs whether it be feeding them or giving them extra attention. I have even gone as far to buy clothes and shoes for students. This affected the students’ learning. They were usually the ones that were below grade level in the classroom. When having conversations with the parents, they want better for their children but did have the resources or just did not know.
I will need support from pediatricians, early childhood educators, and counselors to help inform parents and caregivers about the importance of brain development and optimizing brain development.
Reference
CDC. (2021, February 22). Early Brain Development and Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/early-brain-development.html.
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Adopting a Strength-Based Perspective
“Knowledge is not a passion from without the mind, but an active exertion of the inward strength, vigor and power of the mind, displaying itself from within”. - Ralph Cudworth
Overview of a Strengths-Based Approach
A strength-based approach focuses on children's strengths, not on their weaknesses. Strength-based practice is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary practice that works with individuals to promote their well-being. High (2009) explained that when a strength-based approach is in place and used, it can provide several benefits. These benefits include resilience, motivation, self-confidence, increased emotional intelligence, building self-esteem, and teaching interpersonal and social skills (High, 2009).
Research and evidence has shown support for the strength-based approach. Evidence of this approach encourages educators to understand that children's learning is ever changing, multifaceted, and holistic. It also supports the understanding that children demonstrate their learning in different ways and at different times. It reinforces the strength-based approach of starting with what is present and not what is absent. Pattoni (2019) wrote Researchers of strength-based approaches "have found that by encouraging self-satisfaction in achievements and awareness of what people have to contribute, communities generate increased confidence in their ability to be producers, not recipients of development" (Pattoni, 2019). Research goes on to suggest strengths-based interventions have a positive psychological impact that improves an individual's well-being by developing hope.
A Message of Advocacy
A Strength-based approach is a process of helping individuals (i.e., children) develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and resources necessary to claim a sense of personal control, learning, and growth. A strength-based approach to early childhood education is a collaborative way of working. It encourages educators to regularly draw on what they know of a child’s skills, abilities, and inclination to learning. When a strength-based is used effectively, it supports educators in setting high expectations for children by offering learning opportunities that motivate and interest them and help children see themselves as learners. It focuses on each child’s strengths and supports early childhood professionals to identify areas where support is needed to improve a child’s learning and development. Hammond and Zimmerman (2012) wrote that a strength-based approach looks to understand and develop the strengths and abilities that can transform children’s lives positively (Hammond & Zimmerman, 2012).
The Importance of a Strength-Based Approach in My Practices
As an early childhood professional that appreciates, understands, and practices a strength-based approach with my students, I can see how they can grow in all aspects of brain development. The strength-based approach in my practices allows me to focus on a child’s strengths and their current abilities. I can use these strengths as a building block for developing age and developmentally appropriate activities. The strength-based approach requires me to engage in reflective practices. This continuous process involves me thinking about my values and professional practice and how they may impact a child’s learning and development. I need to cultivate a critical understanding of my practices to develop the essential skills, knowledge, and procedures to achieve the best outcomes for my students.
Questions and Calls for Support
As parents, stakeholders, and early childhood professionals it is essential we take on a strength-based approach to discover our student’s strengths, work on them, and most of all capitalize on them to help our students reach their maximum potential. I call on you to adopt a strength-based approach for the benefits our student’s will experience and achieve. The Social Care Institute for Excellence (2015) said the importance of adopting the "strengths-based practice is the collaborative process between the child or family supported by interventions and those supporting them” (SCIE, 2015). As professionals, you are providing support and interventions that will build positive experiences and learning for now and the future. Are you ready to make a change in the way you perceive your students’ abilities and move to a positive view of developing those abilities?
References
Cudworth, R. (n.d.). Quote Master: Quotes about Everything. Quote Master | Quotes about Everything. hhttps://www.quotemaster.org/author/Ralph+Cudworthttps://www.quotemaster.org/.
Hammond, W., & Zimmerman, R. (2012, January). A Strengths-Based Perspective - Webs. Shed the Light Webs. https://shed-the-light.webs.com/documents/RSL_STRENGTH_BASED_PERSPECTIVE.pdf.
High, L. (2020, January 16). Why Strength-Based Approach Works and its Pros & Cons [web log]. https://dependableblog.com/business/why-strength-based-approach-works-and-its-pros-cons/.
Pattoni, L. (2019, October 17). Strengths-based approaches for working with individuals. Iriss. https://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/insights/strengths-based-approaches-working-individuals.
SCIE. (2015). Care Act guidance on Strengths-based approaches. Social Care Institute for
Excellence (SCIE). https://www.scie.org.uk/strengths-based-approaches/guidance.