OSWEGO COUNTY Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County’s (ICPOC) Child Care and Development Council and Early Childhood Alliance divisions recently facilitated “The Brain Architecture Game” for Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Education Services staff. The professional development session brought together nearly 75 staff members for an engaging and reflective learning experience focused on how early childhood experiences influence brain development. “The Brain Architecture Game” is a hands-on exercise that helps participants visualize how positive and negative experiences, such as supportive relationships or toxic stress, shape the structure of a child’s developing brain. During the session, teams worked together to “build” brains while confronting real-world scenarios that affect children from birth through age eight. According to Janice Scott, director of Education Services at OCO, the experience was both powerful and practical. “It is so important that we as educators from early childhood through school age understand the impact of life events on early brain development and how we can be a protective factor in adverse childhood experiences,” she said. “The activity challenged teams to build the ‘tallest and strongest brain’ based on chance circumstances in each early year of life. “They not only discussed and planned how to strengthen the brain with positive experiences along the way, but recognized they are key players in creating those environments for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children and youth,” Scott added. Sidney Carter, coordinator of the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance, emphasized the importance of collaborative, science-based training opportunities like this one. “We’re thrilled to see organizations like OCO investing in trauma-informed professional development,” Carter said. “Understanding how stress affects the developing brain helps educators and caregivers make everyday decisions that support children’s long-term well-being.” ICPOC’s Child Care and Development Council of Oswego County and the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance continue to partner with schools, early learning centers and community organizations across the county to promote child development, resilience and family engagement. To learn more about “The Brain Architecture Game” or to schedule a facilitation, email Sidney Carter at [email protected] or call 315-343-2344, ext. 113. Print this entry.
https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/local-educators-explore-how-early-experiences-shape-the-brain/