Brain Development in the Early Years

About This Event

This presentation will provide an overview of the neuroscience of the brain from 0-5 years and how the development at its different stages has an impact on children’s behaviour and understanding of the world. We will discuss how crucial the development that happens in that time is. We will also explore how the people present in a child’s life can have lifelong impacts from the influence they have on that child between the ages of 0-5. These influences will stem from how we react to situations using our body language, verbal communication and environmental factors surrounding the child. Following from this we will discuss the ways that key adults in a child’s life can the children to develop, with a wealth of positive connections.

About The Speakers

Natalie Rainford

Kindergarten Teacher at Harrow Little Lions, Nanning

Natalie Rainford is currently teaching in the Kindergarten at Harrow Nanning. She moved to China from Wales, UK, in August 2021, where she has been teaching in a bi-lingual Welsh/English school. She is passionate about nurturing bilingual education, which is one of the factors that drew her to international education. She is also passionate about mindfulness and well-being and completed an intensive course to qualify as a licensed practitioner in social and emotional support before moving to China. Prior to qualifying as a teacher, she was a Nanny caring for twin girls from 8 months until they were four years old. Natalie has a strong background in child development and early years and is convinced that they are the most crucial years in a person’s life. Without strong foundations, houses will fall, and Natalie believes this to be true for a person’s social and emotional development.

Jan Dubiel

Early Years Education Specialist

Jan Dubiel is an Early Years Education Specialist and is a nationally and internationally recognised specialist in Early Childhood Education. He was recently identified by the Times Educational Supplement as one of the ten most influential people in British education. He was previously Head of National and International Development at Early Excellence. He has worked as a YN, YR, and Y1 teacher, senior leader, consultant, adviser, and national lead on the management of the (Early Years) Foundation Stage Profile with QCA. He has written widely on different aspects of Early Years policy, pedagogy, and practice.