Professional Development Experience Being an effective early childhood professional requires more than a passion for teaching or ability to work well with children. In the first five years of life, the most critical skills are formed by creating synaptic connections that are key to cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. Because of their developmental stage, the environment you provide as an early educator will set the foundation for each child’s K- 12 learning experience and beyond. However, as an early childhood professional, you will not work in isolation. Other professionals contribute to service provided to this population, including speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, and educational advocates. Therefore, it is essential that as an early childhood professional you are able to communicate effectively with other professionals. Scenario: The principal from a local school district was impressed with the proposal you wrote for him about the role families and communities play in promoting optimal cognitive development. Based on your proposal, they have offered you a spot as a key presenter at a district-wide professional development workshop for teachers, where you will share your knowledge regarding cognitive development. All of these ideas will come together as you design your Professional Development Experience project. Before starting your Final Project, you are encouraged to view the Week Five Instructor Guidance for additional information, resources, and support, including a deeper look at the professionals you will work with in the field. Additionally, review the Grading Rubric for this assignment to understand how you will be evaluated and contact your instructor using the “Ask Your Instructor” tab before the due date with questions. In order to develop this comprehensive workshop for the targeted professional development population, the principal has given you specific talking points that must be addressed. You will use these talking points to guide your creation of a presentation using PowerPoint or Google Slides. In the slide notes section, please make sure to support the information you have shared on each slide. Finally, make sure to include a title and reference slide for your presentation. The Professional Development Experience must include the following: Theoretical Framework (2 points): Explain a theoretical framework that supports early childhood cognitive development in a classroom environment. Language and Cognitive Development (2 points): Describe at least three ways language development impacts cognitive development using the theoretical framework you have identified. Motor and Cognitive Development (2 points): Describe at least three ways motor development impacts cognitive development using the theoretical framework you have identified. Motor or Speech delay (2 points): Explain at least three ways a delay in speech or motor functioning impacts ...

1. Professional Development Experience
Being an effective early childhood professional requires more
than a passion for teaching or ability to work well with
children. In the first five years of life, the most critical skills
are formed by creating synaptic connections that are key to
cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development. Because
of their developmental stage, the environment you provide as an
early educator will set the foundation for each child’s K- 12
learning experience and beyond. However, as an early childhood
professional, you will not work in isolation. Other professionals
contribute to service provided to this population, including
speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists,
school psychologists, and educational advocates. Therefore, it is
essential that as an early childhood professional you are able to
communicate effectively with other professionals.
Scenario:
The principal from a local school district was impressed with
the proposal you wrote for him about the role families and
communities play in promoting optimal cognitive development.
Based on your proposal, they have offered you a spot as a key
presenter at a district-wide professional development workshop
for teachers, where you will share your knowledge regarding
cognitive development. All of these ideas will come together as
you design your Professional Development Experience project.
Before starting your Final Project, you are encouraged to view
the Week Five Instructor Guidance for additional information,
resources, and support, including a deeper look at the
professionals you will work with in the field. Additionally,
review the Grading Rubric for this assignment to understand
how you will be evaluated and contact your instructor using the
“Ask Your Instructor” tab before the due date with questions.

2. In order to develop this comprehensive workshop for the
targeted professional development population, the principal has
given you specific talking points that must be addressed. You
will use these talking points to guide your creation of a
presentation using PowerPoint or Google Slides. In the slide
notes section, please make sure to support the information you
have shared on each slide. Finally, make sure to include a title
and reference slide for your presentation.
The Professional Development Experience must include the
following:
Theoretical Framework (2 points):
Explain a theoretical framework that supports early childhood
cognitive development in a classroom environment.
Language and Cognitive Development (2 points):
Describe at least three ways language development impacts
cognitive development using the theoretical framework you
have identified.
Motor and Cognitive Development (2 points):
Describe at least three ways motor development impacts
cognitive development using the theoretical framework you
have identified.
Motor or Speech delay (2 points):
Explain at least three ways a delay in speech or motor
functioning impacts learning and cognitive development.
Describe the area of the brain responsible for these functions.
Interplay of Genes, Biology, and Environment (2 points):
Analyze the interplay of genetics, biology, and environmental
factors on brain functioning and cognitive development by

3. providing at least three examples.
Neuroplasticity and Trauma (2 points):
Apply the concept of neuroplasticity by providing one example
from your current or future professional work. Discuss the
impact that trauma has on the developing brain.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders (2 points):
Explain one specific neurodevelopmental disorder including the
genetics, biological, and environmental influences related to
this disorder.
Family and Culture (2 points):
Summarize the relationship between family and culture on
cognitive development including the development of judgment
and reasoning.
Intelligence and Achievement Testing (2 points):
Discuss one specific intelligence test and one specific
achievement test and their use in education in determining
appropriate services and resources for children.
Application of Concepts (2 points):
Apply one specific cognitive strategy you would use to improve
working memory, attention, and executive function to children
with diverse needs.
Collaboration with Colleagues (2 points):
Discuss where and when collaboration and referrals to other
professionals including a speech and language pathologist,
occupational therapist, school psychologist, and educational
advocate would be appropriate and necessary.
The presentation:

4. Presentation Features (2 points):
Incorporate at least five images are relevant to the slide
content.
Presentation Length (1 point):
Include a minimum of 12 slides (not including title and
reference slides).
Presentation Content (1 point):
The content throughout the presentation is relevant to the main
point.
APA Formatting (1 Point):
Use APA formatting consistently throughout the assignment,
which includes citations in the body of the assignment, the title
slide, and references.
Source Requirement (2.5 Points):
Utilize at least 4 scholarly sources in addition to the course
text. All sources included in the References list must be cited in
the content of the presentation.
Syntax and Mechanics (0.5 Points):
Display meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax
and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar.
Carefully review the
Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external
site.
for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.