Language, Behavior, and the Brain: Designing Effective Early Learning Environments and Experiences

Get an update on the latest science of early language, behavioral, and brain development — and find out what this means for early learning environments, experiences, and practices.

Overview

Leaders, practitioners, and caregivers across the mixed-delivery system, in both informal and formal programs and services, are working every day to improve the quality of children’s experiences and learning environments. At the same time, the science of early language, behavioral, and brain development has expanded dramatically in the last decade, and there is much to be gleaned from it for greater impact. This two-day residential program explores what the latest science reveals about creating optimal formal and informal learning environments and experiences — ultimately strengthening children’s brain development and laying the foundation for healthy development in the future.

Language, Behavior, and the Brain is offered as part of the Zaentz Professional Learning Academy and is aligned with the Academy’s mission to equip leaders with the cutting-edge knowledge, strategic tactics, and collaborative networks needed to design and implement approaches and policies that improve young children's learning environments. Participants will learn from experts in the field, analyze case studies, and develop a strategic plan based on these learnings that can be used in their own educational settings.

Program Details

Facilitated by Nonie Lesaux and Stephanie Jones, Faculty Directors of the Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, this program offers a combination of lectures, discussions, collaboration opportunities, and individual and small-group planning sessions. Specific activities include:

• Plenary sessions
• Lectures from HGSE faculty and other experts
• Presentations from practice-based professionals working to improve systems
• Case studies
• Small-group discussions and reflection
• Facilitated question-and-answer sessions
• Networking opportunities

A follow-up webinar will be held where program participants can connect, share learnings, and discuss progress and challenges with the Zaentz community.

Program Objectives

• Explore the latest science of early language, behavioral, and brain development
• Learn how early experiences shape brain architecture and influence later outcomes – including how these occurrences contribute to the achievement gap
• Discover effective responses to key findings from research on children’s language and behavioral development and learn how to incorporate these responses consistently into educational practice
• Build a strategic plan for the design of early learning experiences that will enhance children’s growth and development across domains

Who Should Attend

• Directors of early education centers or programs
• Leaders of early education service organizations across the mixed-delivery system
• Teachers who have assumed leadership positions in early education settings or teachers with leadership aspirations
• Directors, administrators, and coaches in public school preK programs
• Early education professionals who support teachers in their work, such as instructional coaches or supervisors
• Higher education faculty and administrators who develop programming for students in early childhood programs

Fees & Policies

Tuition includes all instructional materials. Participants receive a certificate of participation and a letter confirming clock hours of instruction.

Payment is due by credit card at registration. Click here for more information on payment. Please click here for more information on our on-campus and online refund and withdrawal policies.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. In the unlikely event of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred.