Critical Periods Synthesis Conference

This conference has concluded.

This 1999 conference in Leesburg, VA, brought together a group of scholars representing neural, behavior and social sciences to discuss issues related to windows of opportunity in early brain development.

Participants reviewed and synthesized research and discussed the implications of that research on early childhood development, care, education and parenting practices. Implications include:

• Critical periods or windows of opportunity for development of specific skills occur at different times in early brain development.
• Each child follows a unique developmental course.
• Further research is needed to better understand ways to optimize developmental outcomes at critical periods.
• Effective programs and interventions are needed for children in high-risk environments that may not provide adequate stimulation for optimizing developmental outcomes during those critical early years.

Products:

• Critical Thinking about Critical Periods. Bailey, D., Bruer, J., Symons, F., & Licktman, J. (Eds.). (2001). Baltimore: Brookes Publishing Co.
• National Center for Early Development & Learning. (2001, February). Spotlight #31: New book looks at windows of opportunity in children. Chapel Hill, NC: author.
• Booklet for parents and practitioners prepared by Teaching Strategies and printed by the Government Printing Office.