The Developing Brain

Marilee Sprenger is an adjunct professor at Aurora University, where she teaches graduate courses on brain-based teaching, learning and memory, and differentiation. A creative and compassionate educator, she began her career teaching prekindergarten and kindergarten. She has also taught at the elementary, middle, and high school level. As an independent consultant, her passion is brain-based teaching and best practices using brain research and differentiation. She also consults in the areas of learning styles, using music in the classroom, teaming, multiple intelligences, emotional intelligence, and memory. As an educational consultant with Two Rivers Professional Development Center, she worked for the Illinois Regional Offices of Education in the area of staff development associated with learning standards and testing. She speaks internationally, and her interactive and engaging style allows participants to make connections with their classrooms and their students. She is affiliated with the American Academy of Neurology and is constantly updated on current research. Sprenger is the author of several books, including Memory 101 for Educators and Becoming a Wiz at Brain-Based Teaching, Second Edition, published by Corwin Press. She has contributed to textbooks, and her articles have appeared in publications such as Educational Leadership and the ASCD Brain-based Education/Learning Styles Networker. Her dedication to education has won her many awards, but she cherishes most the wonderful students and teachers whose lives have touched hers.

Preface: You Don't Know Jack! Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction What Is Best Practice? Brain-Compatible Teaching Principles Early Childhood Practices An Ounce of Prevention About This Book 1. The Basic Biology of Brain Development Brain Chemicals Electroencephalograms Windows of Opportunity Experience Dependent and Experience Expectant First Language Second Language Learning Motor Development Memory Development Music Math Emotion Thinking About Brain Growth 2. Building the Brain Through Age Two Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Gross Motor Skills Fine Motor Skills Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities From Birth to Age Two Reading and Language Development Physical and Motor Development Cognitive Development 3. The Three-Year-Old Brain Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Three-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Three-Year-Olds 4. The Four-Year-Old Brain Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Four-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Four-Year-Olds 5. The Five-Year-Old Brain Scenario Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Five-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Five-Year-Olds 6. The Six-Year-Old Brain Scenario Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Six-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Six-Year-Olds 7. The Seven-Year-Old Brain Scenario Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Seven-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Seven-Year-Olds 8. The Eight-Year-Old Brain Brain Development Language and Reading Development Physical and Motor Development Social and Emotional Development Cognitive Development Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Eight-Year-Old Brains For Language and Reading Development For Physical and Motor Development For Social and Emotional Development For Cognitive Development Child Development Checklist: Eight-Years-Old Bibliography Index

"I truly enjoyed the book and had trouble putting it down. The developmental checklists at the end of each chapter are awesome! I have pored over them and learned so much about my children, niece, and neighbors. Thanks for providing such a neat way to communicate expectations and guidelines." -- Stacey B. Ferguson, Teacher "The author has managed to untangle a very complex topic and make it applicable to everyday learning and teaching. The continuous application of research to learning is a strength of the book. A true gift to a broad band of educators." -- Laura Linde, Literacy Coach "This tool shows how classrooms can differentiate instruction, spend time on what really matters, and make sure that all children are making progress. I love the practical applications for each age level and what teachers can do to support optimal learning in their classrooms. Fantastic!" -- Stephanie Malin, Elementary Instructional Coach "The author took difficult information on the brain and synthesized it so that it is reader-friendly and easy to understand. She provided ideas that could easily be implemented in a classroom or at home and identified the curriculum areas for growth." -- Gail Underwood, Math Coach "Chapters cover the basic research on the brain as it relates to educators and child development issues, pairing this survey with development checklists and over 100 brain-based activities for classroom or child care environments." -- California Bookwatch, June 2008