This practical resource explains brain development from prenatal to age 8 with suggestions for activities educators and caregivers can use to foster children's cognitive growth. The authors begin with the basics of brain development, and the issues that affect it, and then provide information specific to infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten to primary age levels. Educational activities are described as they relate to physical, language, social, emotional, cognitive, and academic progress relevant to brain development at each age level. Modifications of activities for young children with disabilities are included. The authors also discuss contemporary issues related to the future education of young children, including how technology-augmented experiences may positively and negatively affect children's development. Book Features: Explains brain development concepts for practitioners and students. Recommends brain-enhancing experiences related to age-level brain development. Includes modified activities for children with special needs. Provides vignettes for context and to illustrate concepts. Includes questions to promote discussion and a deeper understanding of the content.

This report summarizes the monitoring of terrestrial reptiles and amphibians conducted in 2009 within the 3 MEDN parks: CABR, SAMO, and CHIS. Here we provide only simple summary statistics, but future analyses will directly address the objectives of the protocol such as determining the status and trends of herptofaunal occupancy rates, community dynamics, and abundance indices.