Early childhood education

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/early-childhood-education

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the developmental window?Critical period for brain development from birth to approximately age 8
2. What is the pedagogical foundations?Influenced by theorists such as Fröbel, Montessori, and Piaget
3. What happens in the brain during the first eight years of life?The brain makes over a million new connections every second, learning language, thinking skills, and how to manage emotions.
4. Why is play important in early learning?Play lets children explore ideas, practice skills, and build social and emotional abilities, turning learning into fun.

Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
Executive Functions: A set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The process through which individuals acquire and apply knowledge, skills, and attitudes to manage emotions and relationships.