Decades of research indicate that the early years of life are a period of exponential brain development, characterized by great opportunity and vulnerability dependent on the children’s relationships and environment. The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old is an innovative professional development opportunity that provides a toolkit of how the brain develops, along with ways you can encourage health brain development in children from birth to 5 years old. Unit 2: (The Factors Affecting Brain Growth and Development) *Identify Factors That Affect Brain Growth and Development, *Understand the Effect of Stress on Brain Development, *Learn About the 5 R’s for Supporting Health Brain Development – Trainer: Dr. Connie Clay