Why Neuroscience Matters in Early Childhood

📖 Right Beginnings Preschool

Parent Handbook Section: Our Neuroscience-Based Approach (Ages 1–3 Years)

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Early Child brain development - Right Beginnings

At Right Beginnings, we believe that the early years — especially between 1 and 3 years of age — are the most crucial period for a child’s brain development. 90% of a child’s brain is formed by age 5, with the fastest growth and neural connections happening in the toddler years.

New research in child neuroscience shows that the experiences, relationships, and environments children encounter during these years shape the architecture of their developing brain. The way we interact, speak, play, and care for young children has a lifelong impact on their ability to learn, feel, and relate to others.

What Is a Neuroscience-Based Curriculum?

A neuroscience-based curriculum uses evidence from brain science to design learning experiences that align with how the young brain grows best. It focuses on:

• Strengthening sensory pathways (sight, sound, touch, movement)

• Building early language circuits

• Developing emotional regulation and social attachment

• Enhancing cognitive functions like attention span, memory, and problem-solving

• Supporting executive functions like impulse control and decision-making

  
  

How We Apply Neuroscience in Our Classrooms

A structured, age-appropriate program specifically designed for ages 1–3 years. Here’s how it works:

Multi-Sensory Experiences

Children learn best through hands-on, sensory-rich activities. We offer daily sensory play with materials like water, textures, sound shakers, bubbles, and light activities to build vital brain connections.

Movement for Brain-Body Integration

Physical activities like crawling tunnels, ball play, obstacle paths, and bubble chase games help develop coordination and support brain growth by connecting both brain hemispheres.

Language Enrichment

We engage children in rhymes, action songs, echo games, and story sessions to stimulate language circuits during their critical vocabulary-building years.

Secure, Responsive Caregiving

Our teachers are trained in emotionally responsive caregiving techniques. Simple acts like consistent greetings, warm hugs, and emotional face games help children feel safe and emotionally secure — a key factor for healthy brain development.

Executive Function Priming

Through short, playful activities like ‘Simon Says’, clean-up songs, and attention games, we gently nurture toddlers' emerging self-control, memory, and focus skills.

Why This Benefits Your Child

By focusing on the brain’s natural growth patterns in these early years, our program helps children:

• Build a stronger foundation for later learning

• Develop better social skills and emotional confidence

• Improve early problem-solving and communication abilities

• Experience fewer behavioural difficulties

• Feel emotionally secure in a nurturing, predictable environment

Sample :

Week 1: Sensory Awakening & Emotional Security

Day	Sensory & Motor Activity	Cognitive Activity	Language Activity	Social-Emotional Activity
Monday	Ice cube sensory tray	Peek-a-boo with scarf	Sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with actions	Welcome hug and name call
Tuesday	Bubble pop chase	Drop ball in a box	Sing Row Row Row Your Boat	Happy/Sad face cards activity
Wednesday	Water pouring station	Hide and seek with toys	Word echo practice (Ball, Cat, Mama)	Group cuddle story circle
Thursday	Texture mat barefoot walk	Stack 3 blocks	If You’re Happy and You Know It song	Share a toy with a friend
Friday	Ball rolling and catching	Shape sorting (2 shapes)	Picture book: Animals and Sounds

Week 2: Movement & Brain Play

Day	Sensory & Motor Activity	Cognitive Activity	Language Activity	Social-Emotional Activity
Monday	Soft tunnel crawling	Drop object from height	Storytime: My First Words	Hug and wave goodbye routine
Tuesday	Rice sensory bin	Peek-a-boo with window box	Sing Wheels on the Bus	Emotion cards: Happy, Sad, Angry
Wednesday	Light and shadow play	Treasure basket discovery	Clap-and-name song	Pat-a-cake game
Thursday	Bubble wrap stomping	Match 2 similar objects	Sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm	Show and tell favourite toy
Friday	Balloon tap game	Cause-effect button toy	Story repeat session	Circle goodbye clap & sing

Week 3: Sound, Texture & Memory Building

Day	Sensory & Motor Activity	Cognitive Activity	Language Activity	Social-Emotional Activity
Monday	Play dough squishing	Nesting cups arrangement	Rhyme: Humpty Dumpty	Group greeting clap
Tuesday	Water beads sensory tub	Puzzle with 2–3 pieces	Animal sounds imitation	Show-and-pass ball game
Wednesday	Pom-pom scooping with spoon	Object permanence box	Echo words: Mama, Bye-Bye	Teacher cuddles and name call
Thursday	Sound shakers exploration	Simple sequence matching	Rhyme: Ba Ba Black Sheep	Emotion face masks
Friday	Balloon dance	Sorting toys by color	Storytime: Baby Animals	Group goodbye hug

Week 4: Brain & Body Coordination

Day	Sensory & Motor Activity	Cognitive Activity	Language Activity	Social-Emotional Activity
Monday	Obstacle crawling path	Hide & find objects under cups	Name song with clapping	Show-and-tell item
Tuesday	Sand pit digging	Stack and knock towers	Sing Five Little Ducks	Group clap circle
Wednesday	Color splash painting (safe washable)	Shape puzzle (circle, square)	Word repeat: Dog, Car, Doll	Friendship circle dance
Thursday	Musical instrument play	Cause-effect toys (push button sounds)	Rhyme: Twinkle Twinkle	Emotion cards game
Friday	Cross-lateral crawling race	Sorting soft toys	Picture book: Colors and Shapes

cite:

1.Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

• “Brain Architecture” and “InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development”https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/key-concepts/brain-architecture/

2.Shonkoff, J. P., & Phillips, D. A. (Eds.). (2000).From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood DevelopmentNational Research Council and Institute of MedicinePublished by National Academies Presshttps://doi.org/10.17226/9824

3. National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2007).“The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture”Working Paper No. 4.https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/the-timing-and-quality-of-early-experiences-combine-to-shape-brain-architecture/

5.Mustard, J. F. (2006).“Experience-based brain development: Scientific underpinnings of the importance of early child development in a globalized world.”Brookings Institution.https://www.brookings.edu/research/experience-based-brain-development-scientific-underpinnings-of-the-importance-of-early-child-development-in-a-globalized-world/

6. National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)“Neuroscience and Early Childhood Education”https://nieer.org/research-topic/neuroscience

7.BrainBloom™ Early Years Curriculum