Early Brain Development: Powering Creativity & Economic Growth

FREE In-Person and Livestream Event: Learn the importance of seizing the opportunities of early brain development! The Community Training and Development Centre is hosting a learning event on Wednesday, October 28 2026 in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. Save your seats today! Attend in-person and network with fellow attendees, browse our resource table, meet some of the speakers, take part in the Q&A, and enter our draw to win a copy of Dan Wuori's book, The Daycare Myth! Can't attend in-person? The event will also be broadcast online! Register for the livestream here: livestreambraindevelopment.eventbrite.ca The first years of life are a peak period for shaping brain architecture, when more than 1 million neural connections form every second. Supporting children during this critical period of social, emotional, and cognitive development helps build the foundation for lifelong learning and contributes to future economic growth and stability. GLOBAL EXPERTS. INNOVATIVE IDEAS. THE LATEST BRAIN SCIENCE. Explore the research, innovation, and leadership shaping the future of early learning and the workforce behind it. Six national and international thought leaders are joining us, in-person and remotely, to create a truly unique and knowledge-packed morning. If you're a parent, working in early learning, education, health, government, workforce development, or community services, these are conversations you won't want to miss. --------- Please Note: • Free childcare (with limitations) is provided in a neighbouring room by our trusted partner Cobourg YMCA. Spaces are limited. If you require childcare to attend the event, please email The Community Training and Development Centre: [email protected] • Speakers, presentations, and topics are subject to change without notice. --------- What Will You Learn? Dr. Dan Wuori (KEYNOTE SPEAKER) Joining us in person in Cobourg to present: The Daycare Myth. Shifting the Narrative on Early Childhood and Early Learning — Essential, Complex, and Undervalued. Founder and President of Early Childhood Policy Solutions and author of the highly acclaimed book, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It). For a century, early childhood policy has been premised on a myth. This falsehood―which dictates that child care and education are somehow separate and distinct―not only suboptimizes the most important window into all human development, but costs taxpayers an untold fortune. It’s time to think differently. Written in plain yet provocative language by one of the field’s most respected bipartisan policy experts, The Daycare Myth makes the case for why the early years matter; why our longstanding early childhood policy approach sacrifices the needs of young children in favour of promoting adult employment; and why fixing the problem makes good sense, regardless of your place on the political spectrum. Dr. Anabela Bonada, Managing Director of Climate Science, Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo. Joining us in person in Cobourg to present: Climate Change and Education: Impacts on Children, Families, Schools and Educators. Extreme weather, including heat waves, flooding, wildfires and wildfire smoke, is increasingly affecting children, families, schools, and educators. This talk will examine how these hazards can disrupt health, learning, daily routines and school operations, while placing additional pressures on caregivers and education professionals. It will also highlight practical actions that schools, child-care settings, families and communities can take to reduce risk, strengthen preparedness, and create safer, more climate-resilient environments for children. ------------------ Professor Janet Rose, Vice-Chancellor, Norland University of Early Childhood Joining us remotely from the UK to present: Brain Architects! Our role as co-creators in early brain development. Early years practitioners act as co-creators of early brain architecture by creating safe, nurturing and stimulating environments where children feel secure to explore, learn and form relationships. Through warm, responsive and consistent interactions, they help build the neural connections that underpin learning, language, emotional wellbeing and social competence. By recognising and responding sensitively to children's individual needs, interests and cues, they support the development of self-regulation and executive functioning skills during the most important period of human development. In doing so, early years practitioners lay the foundations for lifelong health, wellbeing, resilience, learning and achievement. ------------------ Professor Frank A. Russo, Professor Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University, Scientific Director of SingWell Project. Joining us remotely to present: Why Music Matters: The Science of Music, Belonging, and Healthy Child Development. Music is often viewed as an enrichment activity, yet a growing body of research suggests it plays a fundamental role in healthy child development. Shared musical experiences, particularly singing, support the development of language, attention, self-regulation, social understanding, and emotional wellbeing while strengthening children's sense of trust, belonging, and connection to others. This presentation will examine the latest evidence from psychology, neuroscience, and education to explore how music shapes the developing brain and contributes to healthier, more inclusive learning environments. It will also consider the implications of this evidence for education and childcare policy, asking whether access to meaningful musical experiences should be viewed not as an optional enrichment, but as an essential investment in children's development and lifelong wellbeing. ------------------ Dr. Kathryn Walton, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition & Associate Director of the Guelph Family Health Study, University of Guelph. Joining us remotely to present: How Children Eat: Supporting Healthy Eating Behaviours, Growth and Brain Development in the Early Years. Dr. Walton’s presentation will focus on the development of children’s eating behaviours, the role of nutrition in supporting healthy growth and brain development, and how early childhood educators can use supportive feeding practices to foster healthy eating behaviours during the early years. ------------------ Dr. Kimberly Squires, Assistant Professor, the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, University of Guelph. Joining us remotely to present: Outdoor Play and Nature: Supporting the Physical and Mental Health of Children. Children's healthy development depends on opportunities to move, explore, take risks, and connect with the natural world. This presentation will examine how outdoor play and experiences in nature support physical health, emotional well-being, self-regulation, and early brain development. Drawing on current research and practical examples, participants will learn how natural outdoor environments can help foster the foundations for lifelong development, health, and learning. ------------------ To learn more about The Community Training and Development Centre and this event, visit: ctdclearningplace.com/events ------------------ Two ways to attend! IN PERSON - Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre in Cobourg, Ontario (930 Burnham Street). Attend in person to enter our book draw (win a signed copy of Dan Wuori's, The Daycare Myth!), network, visit our learning resource table, and get your questions answered during the live Q&A. ONLINE - Register to watch the livestream at livestreambraindevelopment.eventbrite.ca and attend from anywhere in the world! You will receive a few email reminders with the viewing link closer to the event date. Please consider your timezone.