Brain under construction : experiences that promote the intellectual capabilities of young toddlers : book two of a series: 8 to 18 months

Using information from developmental psychology and brain research, this book provides parents and caretakers many ideas for enhancing the cognitive growth of their children in the early years. Though expressively written to address the needs of young toddlers from 8-18 months, its wide range of ideas are appropriate for children through age 3. Among topics covered are the foundations for concepts, facts, "how-to" knowledge, cause-effect reasoning, communicative competence, and memory skills. This resource for parents and other caretakers to use with infants from 8 to 18 months provides a synthesis of research on early brain development and objective-oriented instruction as the basis for activities that promote intellectual development. Part 1 of the book provides an overview of early development, discusses general ways of enhancing infants' and toddlers' thinking abilities and memory, and suggests general ideas and specific activities for enhancing sensory input, reception and awareness (including language, perception, emotions, and attention), information processing (thinking), and output (motor or language response) for infants in the 8- to 12-month age frame and those in the 13- to 18-month age frame. Part 2 provides theoretical and research information on brain development, the types of information caregivers should provide to toddlers, the manner in which information should be presented. Part 2 also presents a four-level model of cognitive functioning that provides the basis for activities in Part 1. An appendix discusses academic readiness and the importance of having fun with children. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/KB)