How Your Child’s Brain Develops and the Role You Play: Learn from the Experts
Day Two: May 4, 2012
The Royal Conservatory
ACADEMIC CENTER
Toronto, Ontario
Please see our workshop schedule for event times.
Workshops, Presentations and Demonstrations
The second day of the conference will feature networking opportunities; a chance to meet the neuroscientists, teachers and researchers; presentations; and demonstrations with practical tips on how you can apply the lessons of neuroscience in the classroom or with your own child.
Featured Workshops
Reach Out and Touch Something! Helping Young Children’s Brains to Fire on All Cylinders.
Hosts: Amanda Conlon, Director of Visitor Experiences, London Children’s Museum
Margaret Whitley, Director, Montessori House of Children, London
Practical examples of activities both at home and in programs that reinforce the science behind brain growth and childhood development from birth to 5.
Creating Creative Thinkers Through Music
Steven Couldridge, Yamaha Music Canada
A fun and interactive workshop highlighting a unique approach to the development of creative musical skills through age-appropriate education, group learning, and an emphasis on improvisation and creativity.
This workshop will discuss the creative elements of musical improvisation which leads to children being able to compose their own music from the age of 6.
Presentations and Workshops
Combining the Science of the Brain with the Art of Teaching
Ann Patteson, The Royal Conservatory Gavin Biddelman, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest
How excellence in teaching and education will be supplemented by the findings of neuroscience.
Creativity in the Brain
Dr. Mandy Wintink, PhD, RYT, Director of the Centre for Applied Neuroscience, Toronto
In the last couple of decades we have seen a tremendous growth of knowledge around how the brains works from molecules to memories. Although a lot of focus is on health and disease, there is sparse interest in understanding creativity in the brain. Creativity is, in some ways, a high-level generative cognitive function that, in theory, would seem to be orchestrated by areas of the front of the brain, i.e., the areas that are typically involved in “executive functions” like planning, decision-making, logical reasoning, working memory, etc. In fact, there have been mixed results on to how creativity does exist in the brain partially because defining this psychological construct is, in itself, difficult. This lecture will 1) provide an overview of creativity in the brain, 2) highlighting some examples where creativity emerges as a result of neurodegenerative diseases and in learning disabilities, and 3) discuss a possible neural representation of the “inner critic” that impedes creativity.
Research-based Educational Games: Good for the Brain
Jessica McLaughlin, TVOKids Zachary Hawes, University of Toronto Patricia Ellingson, TVO
Future of Lifelong Learning: Lessons from the Innovation, Technology and Design Lab and Its Partners
Bianca Stern, Director, Culture, Arts & Innovation, Baycrest,Toronto
Parents and teachers will learn about and experience projects focusing on the benefits of intergenerational learning. Advances in neuroscience and neuroeducation are revealing that the brain is extraordinarily flexible, capable of adapting, changing, and learning throughout a person’s life. When that natural ability is encouraged and enhanced by bringing older and younger people together to share their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm, extraordinary things happen. This workshop will introduce the science behind neuroplasticity, with an emphasis on how early childhood development sets the stage for lifelong learning. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to experience examples of current intergenerational work being conducted by Baycrest and its partners. These include projects designed to combine the power of story with the capabilities of new technologies – social media, 3D virtual worlds, and motion capture – to foster intergenerational relationships and build communities around the world.
Is There a Better Way to Learn? A cognitive and brain research perspective
‘Association formation’ is a key concept in understanding how children learn and is the basis for many forms of memory and learning. In this talk, Alice Kim will present the science behind ‘association formation’ and explain what it means for kids and how we can improve memory by understanding this important concept. The presentation will explain the science behind, and latest research on ‘association formation’, and explain how parents and teachers can apply this insight into helping kids to learn and remember.
Raising Smarter Kids: Perspectives on High-Level Development
How can parents and educators ensure learning opportunities are well-targeted, motivating, and commensurate with a child’s capabilities? We’ll discuss understandings of giftedness and high-level development, address misconceptions and concerns, and consider practical ways to offer children encouragement and support. Visit Dr. Foster’s Web site, Raising Smarter Kids.
Brain Building Media: A Timeline of Smart Entertainment Options for Children
Debbie Gordon, Director, kidsmediacentre @ Centennial College Gabriella Sundar Singh /Celeste Rollason-Szalai, Centennial College
Who says media literacy is an oxymoron? There are lots of smart, positive, brain stimulating media and entertainment properties supporting children’s development. Join the kidsmediacentre and their “kids-panel” critics for a tour of media entertainment options for children between the ages of 2 – 12. We’ll track brain development and look at multi-media choices that support children’s learning and stimulate the whole child.
The kidsmediacentre’s goal is to provide a range of Research and Development support to cross-platform, media and entertainment content providers to ensure the kids’ media industry in Canada is vibrant, indigenous and committed to the healthy growth of children.
Technology in the Classroom
Kristina Farentino, Toronto French School Vince Delisi, Holy Trinity School
How can we leverage technology and use what we know from research about neuro-science to make the learning experience in the classroom more effective? In this workshop and discussion, we will share how we are bringing the science of the brain, through the integration of technology, into the learning experiences of students in our two K-12 schools. We will demonstrate how brain and learning principles can be used to make choices around using technologies in the classroom for improving student learning and achievement.
Frontiers of Research: Effects of Musical Experience in Infancy
Andrea Unrau
A number of widely-publicized studies involving school-aged children suggest that music training can positively affect musical, cognitive and language skills. However, recent evidence suggests that the brain might be most plastic very early in development. Andrea Unrau will discuss newly-published research on the positive effects of early interactive music training on brain development, parent-infant relationships, communicative development and musical processing. This lecture will review the evidence for early brain plasticity, present the effects of musical training in infancy, and discuss practical implications for parents and teachers.
Brain Injury and Education: Lessons for Everyone from the Frontiers of Science
Harry Zarins, M.Ed., Brain Injury Association of Canada
The brain is an ever evolving organ and with care, love and a strong support team, a child with a concussion which is brain injury can move on. Parents and caregivers have to recognize the symptoms, uunderstand the injury and work towards solutions to move the child ahead. The brain is a powerful organ and will react to positive interventions both in the long term and in the short term. We will explore the stories, the science and the solutions.
Demonstrations
Brain Training, Neuroeducation and Smarter Kids: Hands-On Demo
Dr. Sylvain Moreno
A hands-on workshop and demo of software products for kids that have a proven impact on IQ and retention.
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