ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a rigorous and robust look at what neuroscience is telling us about the early years learner's brain. It provides educators with a foundational look at the 'nature' of the early years learner in order to situate the best possible practices for nurturing these young minds. Arguably, the early years of learning offer one of the most important contexts for merging neuroscientific research with educational practice, given what is now known about the nature of the early years learner. The chapter focuses on how the brain grows and develops in the early years. The role of the environment and insights into the impact of nurturing on the brain of early years learners get greater attention; however, it should be apparent from the information presented earlier that the brain changes a great deal from birth to age four. The chapter aims to give the reader some understanding of the complex nature of the early years learner's brain development.
