A4 -- Early Brain Development and Literacy

Darlene Halleran, Early Childhood Education Instructor, Lawrence College and Memorial University; Lynn Smyth, CUPW Family Resource Centre and Chair of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The brain needs stimulation to develop. The most important part of neurological development is in the first five years of life and ninety percent of this work is done in the first two years. A window of opportunity exists up to 15 months, where the brain shows heigthened sensitivity to stimulation. After that point learning becomes more difficult.

There are two principles of brain development: 1) the outside world accessed by our five senses and 2) our relationships with people early in life. Parents and family play an important role as teachers. They need to be emotionally and cognitively involved, being there for the child and listening and talking about their learning. Attachment is very important, along with providing a loving, stable, secure environment.

Other influences on learning in the early years come from the community, preschool, schools and the health system. There has been some discussion of bringing schools and preschools together but no conclusions have been reached about how to do this. Schools differ in the materials available and the services offered for children. The curriculum is intensifying and children present with more issues. For workers pay differences between teachers and Early Childhood Educators are an issue in working together.

Play is a very important tool in child development. Children can explore and imagine through play, which enhances creativity and imagination. Children are learning as they play. For example, in block play, they learn geometry and math skills, shapes and names of shapes, math, unit blocks, fractions and even physics- through building towers. Parents often lose their sense of fun and play so it's hard for them to play with their children, to know the joy and fun that children get out of this. Sometimes parents push children too hard when they need to let them flow and play, to use the knowledge they have and allow time for new information to sink in.

Resources:
Early Learning Canada - a program for parents
Canadian Childcare Federation - for information and new research "You bet I can"

B1 -- Early Intervention and the Role of the Reading Specialist

Presenters: Margaret Ryall, Program Specialist for Literacy, Avalon East School; Mary O'Gorman, Reading Specialist, Cormack Trail School Board.

In 1996 a report called "Special Matters" by Patricia Canning had the first reference to Reading Specialists.The author, at that time, recommended the Department of Education hire one reading specialist; each regional School Board now has one. The role of the Reading Specialist varies from one Board to the next depending on the needs of the region as determined by their School Board.