How Your Child’s Brain Develops and the Role You Play: Learn from the Experts
May 3, 2012
The Royal Conservatory
TELUS CENTRE FOR PERFORMANCE AND LEARNING
Toronto, Ontario
Conference Overview and Objectives
Keynote Presentations and Panels
0800 – 0900
Registration
Morning Sessions Hosted by Karine Ewart Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Parent
0900 – 0930
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Sylvain Moreno, PhD
0930 – 1030
Language, Learning and the Mind
Ellen Bialystok, PhD, FRSC
From the research lab to the play to the classroom, Dr. Bialystok, a distinguished research professor of psychology at York University in Toronto, takes us on a tour of a child’s brain, how it changes and grows, and the impact on how we think about childhood development and education. She will share insights into how a child learns language and the impact of being bilingual on cognitive function.
1030 – 1100
Break
1100 – 1145
Can a child’s brain be changed?
Sylvain Moreno, PhD
Research shows it is possible to change a child’s brain. What does it mean for how we prepare children for school, the nature of the classroom and the future of childhood development? From the frontiers of neuroscience we are discovering new ways to have a direct impact on a child’s capacity to learn – Dr. Moreno will show us why, and what it means for the future.
1145 – 1230
From the Family Room to the Classroom to the World
Moderator: Karine Ewart· John Godfrey, PhD
With all the breakthroughs in neuroscience, what does it mean for today’s student and what are the implications for the classroom of tomorrow? What do parents need to take into consideration when selecting a pre-school program? What do parents need to do to prepare their child for elementary school? Join the debate on the future of the classroom.
1230 – 1330
Break
1330 – 1345
A performance by a student from the Glenn Gould School
Afternoon Sessions Hosted by Cheryl Jackson Host, TVOparents
1345 – 1430
Turning Points in Children’s Media
Cheryl Jackson· Michael Hirsh · Martin J. Keltz
Two of talents behind the creation of The Magic School Bus are re-united for the first time to discuss what they see as a coming revolution in children’s entertainment: the ability to create programs for kids that can have a positive impact on their brains, prepare them for school by increasing the capacity to learn, while still being entertaining and engaging! Michael Hirsh and Martin Keltz will share their experiences over decades in children’s entertainment. They’ll share how the “magic” of shows like The Magic School Bus are created, and explore how digital and traditional media, when informed by neuroscience, will offer a new way to give our kids a head start.
1430 – 1515
Translations: Art to Science
Angela Elster · Gavin Bidelman, PhD
The Royal Conservatory’s Learning Through the Arts program has worked with over 400,000 students in 14,000 classrooms, and certified and employed more than 3,000 artist-educators. During the past 18 years compelling data have been collected. We understand the value of these data through our lenses as educators, but what do these data mean through the lens of a neurologist?
1515 – 1530
Break
A performance by a student from the Glenn Gould School
1530 – 1600
Brain Power: Next Steps
Sylvain Moreno, PhD · Angela Elster · John Godfrey, PhD · Martin J. Keltz
Where do we go from here? Faculty to provide closing thoughts for Day One.
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