Powerful research evidence is emerging to show the importance of the first few years of life in terms of brain development, for example the work of Bruce Perry and the Child Trauma Academy at www.ChildTrauma.org and at this site you can see the slide featured in the book showing the cross section of a two three year olds' brain with the following caption:

“These images illustrate the negative impact of neglect on the developing brain. In the CT scan on the left is an image from a healthy three year old with an average head size. The image on the right is from a three year old child suffering from severe sensory-deprivation neglect. This child’s brain is significantly smaller than the average and has abnormal development of the cortex.” Perry B & Pollard D (1997)   These images are from studies conducted by a team of researchers from the Child Trauma Academy (www.ChildTrauma.org) led by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., PhD.

ECEA Conference Scholarships for Teachers - Oct 15th Submission Deadline

ARE YOU AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR COMMITTED TO THOUGHTFUL, STUDENT-CENTERED, CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE LITERACY TEACHING?  OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?  Apply for a scholarship to this year’s NCTE conference in Las Vegas, NV!

Application Deadline: October 15, 2012

NCTE’s Early Childhood Education Assembly (ECEA) is awarding two $150 scholarships to the 2012 NCTE Conference to teachers of children in preschool and early elementary grades. The conference scholarship award will support teachers who:

·      Include children’s languages, cultures, and backgrounds in the curriculum

·      Embed the teaching of literacy skills within authentic opportunities for reading and writing

·      Create spaces for children to inquire into their interests and the world around them

The winners of the scholarship will receive a monetary award ($150) to support conference attendance and the opportunity to write an entry regarding their experiences at the NCTE Day of Early Childhood for the ECEA blog.

Applications will be reviewed by the ECEA Professional Development Committee. Applications should include the following:

·      A letter (1-2 pages) addressed to the ECEA Professional Development Committee describing the nominee’s commitment to early literacy teaching and learning.  Applicants may also include photographs or examples of student work that illustrate their early literacy pedagogies.

·      Nominee’s contact information, including grade level taught.

·      Nominees must be members of the Early Childhood Education Assembly

Both third-party nominations and self-nominations will be considered.

Applications are due by October 15, 2012 and can be submitted via email to María Paula Ghiso, ECEA Professional Development Committee Chair (ghiso@tc.edu)