Brain Development and Learning in the Primary Years

Learning must be tied to what children already know and incorporate concrete experience, representation, idea development, and the testing of ideas for deep understanding to occur. Children are developing rapidly during the primary years and are beginning to think in complex ways about self, their environment, and others. Teachers can play a role in honing these emerging skills by considering how to apply the developmental directions and concepts intentionally every day. Without a doubt, these early years shape a child’s overall outlook and engagement in lifelong learning.