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The Latest Information on Brain Growth in the Earliest Years

Gesell Program offers the latest information on brain growth in the earliest years, in this curated collection of current research. Importantly, we give a brief summary of the findings presented in the article What More Has Been Learned? The Science of Early Childhood Development Since Neurons to Neighborhoods, published in January 2016. In the 15 years since the publication of From Neurons to Neighborhoods, scientists have learned a lot more about the developing brain, the growth of thinking and learning, the effects of early stress, and the importance of relationships to young children’s development.

(click image for summary)

Resources

Social Emotional Learning

  View Video of Full Event

Presenter Bios

Additional Resources:

Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

CHDI Report: Connecting Social and Emotional Health and Literacy

Play

Endangered Play, Endangered Development

Why Play is Even More Important in the 21st Century

Diane Levin

May 4, 2016

6:30 - 8:30 pm

Yale School of Management

FREE and Open to the Public

Economic Development

October 2, 2015

Gesell Institute’s Leaders Forum on Economic Development and Early Childhood on October 2, 2015 at the Yale School of Management succeeded in bringing together a standing room only crowd of political, policy and business leaders to explore the economic impact of high quality early childhood programs, and the cost of failing to provide them to our most vulnerable children. You can access a video of the full program here (http://www.ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=12052). Co-Chairs Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp were part of the significant political representation that also included comments from US Senator Chris Murphy,  and Lt Governor Nancy Wyman. Economist Arthur Rolnick, of the Humphry School of Public Affairs, presented his research (later corroborated by Nobel Laureate James Heckman) on the economic benefits to the community when investments are made in quality early childhood programs. Economic research shows that for every dollar invested in quality early childhood programs, pay back (ROI) to the community is between $7-$10.

The panel which consisted of S. Lynn Kagan, from Teachers College, Columbia University and Yale University’s Child Study Center, Myra Jones-Taylor Commissioner of CT Office of Early Childhood, State Senator Beth Bye and Marcy Guddemi, Gesell's Executive Director discussed the critical need for high quality early childhood education to achieve the most positive outcomes. During this event, Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, on behalf of Governor Dannel Malloy, accepted the Gesell Institute’s Award for Outstanding Contributions on Behalf of Young Children. This award honors people who make lasting contributions to the field of early childhood education. The only other recipients of this award have been Drs. T. Berry Brazelton, world renowned pediatrician, and Edward Zigler, founder of Head Start, during our 60th Anniversary LEADership Conference in 2010.  

Gesell Board of Directors l-r: Carole Weisberg, Linda Calarco, Gladys Deutsch, Charlie Slaughter, Judy August, Marcy Guddemi, Nancy Blackwell-Todd, Kathy Higgins, Adele Edgerton, Barbara Stern.    

Forum Program

New Haven, CT (October 21, 2015)  -  Gesell Institute Celebrates 65th Anniversary with Leaders Forum on Economic Development and Early Childhood Gesell Institute’s Leaders Forum on Economic Development and Early Childhood on October 2, 2015 at the Yale School of Management succeeded in bringing together a nearly standing room only crowd of political, policy and business leaders to explore the economic impact of high quality early childhood programs, and the cost of failing to provide them to our most vulnerable children. Co-Chairs Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp were part of the significant political representation that also included comments from US Senator Chris Murphy,  and Lt Governor Nancy Wyman. Economist Arthur Rolnick, of the Humphry School of Public Affairs, presented his research (later corroborated by Nobel Laureate James Heckman) on the economic benefits to the community when investments are made in quality early childhood programs. Economic research shows that for every dollar invested in quality early childhood programs, pay back (ROI) to the community is between $7-$10. The panel which consisted of S. Lynn Kagan, from Teachers College, Columbia University and Yale University’s Child Study Center, Myra Jones-Taylor Commissioner of CT Office of Early Childhood, State Senator Beth Bye and Marcy Guddemi, Gesell's Executive Director discussed the critical need for high quality early childhood education to achieve the most positive outcomes. In a survey of attendees after the Forum 100% of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied.  Nearly 70% said they were “called to action” as a result of their participation at the conference. The Leaders’ Forum launches Gesell Institute’s 65th Anniversary Celebration. To mark the Anniversary, the Institute has planned advocacy activities throughout the year with a focus on The Latest Information on the Earliest Years.

About Gesell Program in Early Childhood

Gesell Program in Early Childhood is an independent, non-profit organization located on the Yale campus in New Haven, CT.  The Institute was established in 1950 to further the work of Arnold Gesell, M.D. Ph.D. (1888-1961).  Based on Dr. Gesell’s pioneering work documenting infant and child growth and development, Gesell Institute’s programs and publications now help parents and educators to understand the ages and stages of childhood.  Professional development and parent workshops cover a broad range of topics regarding child behavior, healthy growth and development, and positive learning outcomes.  For additional information and resources, visit www.gesellinstitute.org.  

2016 Summer at the Institute

True Then. Truer Now: 

What Every Early Childhood Educator Should Know In 2016

July 26, 2016

9am - 4pm

Location: United Way of Greater New Haven, 370 James St, New Haven, CT

  The Gesell theory of maturational development still remains relevant today, on the 65th Anniversary of the Gesell Institute of Child Development. Recent research confirms that children still grow and learn, along the same stages defined by Arnold Gesell over a century ago. But the world has not remained quite so predictable. Educators of young children were invited to join the Gesell Institute of Child Development and colleagues for a day of inquiry into the importance of understanding the tried and true ages and stages of child development in the new early childhood of toxic stress, learning standards, and ever growing challenges to safe, stable, nurturing environments for all children.

Keynote: Investing in Children's Flourishing Linda Mayes, MD, Director, Yale Child Study Center, Arnold Gesell Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology   Common Sense for the Common Core Erin Akers, MEd Early Literacy in Early Childhood Karlen Senseny, EdD Outdoor Play and Brain Growth Sally Keller, MAT Attachment in Early Childhood Tina Mannarino, PhD

Summer at the Institute with Gesell Institute Staff

Sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors for supporting Gesell's advocacy events in this 65th Anniversary year. Please consider joining them and sponsoring our upcoming events in 2015-16.  

Gold Sponsors ($10,000)

Yale New Haven Hospital and

Yale Health Services  

Silver Sponsors ($5,000)

Yale Office of New Haven and State Affairs

Linda and Vincent Calarco  

Bronze Sponsors ($2,500)

David Newton, Elm Advisors, LLC

Dick and Melissa Ferguson

 

If you would like to sponsor us, please contact Peg Oliveira at peg.oliveira@yale.edu