Brain-Based Strategies for Early Language Development
Date:
March 13, 2026 @ 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Price:
Topics:
- Early Childhood Education
Instructor(s):
Danielle Kent, M.S., CCC-SLP
Event Type:
Virtual
Professional Learning Hours:
10
Intended Audience:
Early childhood educators, special educators, and other professionals working with children from birth through kindergarten.
Participants must attend all events:
- March 13, 2026
- April 2, 2026
This workshop series is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of early brain development and its critical connection to language acquisition from birth through kindergarten. Participants will study how young children’s brains grow and how this growth supports language development across infancy, toddlerhood, and the preschool years. Participants will then examine key developmental milestones, learn how language is co-constructed through responsive interactions, and practice strategies that promote strong communication skills in young children. Lastly, participants will shift the focus from knowledge of these milestones to adult action steps, helping participants bridge the gap between understanding and consistent practice. Through guided reflection and collaborative problem-solving, attendees will identify practical solutions to common implementation obstacles and tailor strategies to fit their unique environments.
Participants will:
- Describe how early childhood brain development underpins language growth, including expected receptive and expressive milestones during infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool.
- Understand responsive caregiver strategies,including serve and return, co-regulation and expansion, and therapeutic interventions such as Toy Talk.
- Apply learned strategies to real‑world caregiver–child interactions, troubleshoot common barriers (e.g., limited time, distractions, inconsistent routines), and practice scaffolding and responsive techniques in realistic scenarios.
Graduate Course Option
An optional 1-credit graduate course, which includes additional meeting times and required coursework, is available.
