Continued Early Childhood Education Phone: 866-727-1617


What is a Brain Architect?

Julie Kurtz, MS

August 13, 2021

Share:

Question

What is a brain architect?

Answer

A brain architect means that you are directly influencing the growth of a child's brain, both internally and externally by the things that you do. If you're a brain architect, you have a recognition that between the ages of zero and six years old, the child's brain is growing one million neurons per second. No, you didn't read that wrong. One million neurons per second. The brain grows more between zero and six years old than at any other time in their life. You have such power to support the architecture of the brain to be healing and healthy or not. Your job description is critical. One of the ways that you can be the best brain architect of growing humans to be humane is to say to yourself, challenging behavior is merely communicating a story or a need.  This might be one of the following.

  • To gain someone or something
  • To avoid someone or something
  • To express a sensation/emotion

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Preventing Challenging Behaviors, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Associationpresented by Julie Kurtz, MS.


julie kurtz

Julie Kurtz, MS

Julie Kurtz is an author, national speaker, and expert consulting and training on trauma and resilience. She promotes the concept of optimal brain integration to maximize the human growth potential. Julie is the Founder and CEO for the Center for Optimal Brain Integration.

She is a co-author of: 

  • Trauma-Informed Practices for Early Childhood Educators: Relationship-Based Approaches that Support Healing and Build Resilience in Young Children.
  • Culturally Responsive Self-Care Practices for Early Childhood Educators (Spring 2020).

Julie Kurtz is the creator of the phone/tablet Application (APP) Trigger Stop: Sensory and Emotional Check-in designed specifically for children ages 3-8 years to promote sensory and emotional literacy and to support self-regulation.

In 2011, she was named as one of the most 100 Influential Woman of Silicon Valley, CA by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.


Related Courses

Preventing Challenging Behaviors, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association
Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS
Video

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS
Course: #31639Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour
  'Easy to understand and the handout are so helpfull'   Read Reviews
Young children often have challenging and dysregulated behaviors. Learn how to teach them strategies and skills to navigate the daily emotions and problems they face, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association's Training West.

Growing Human(E) Beings - A Job of Superheroes!, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association
Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS
Video

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS
Course: #31641Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour
  'This should be a required course for all parents'   Read Reviews
Learn the difference between challenging behavior and trauma triggers. Review approaches to understand trauma and its impact on young children’s brains, behavior, learning, and development, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association's Training West.

Early Childhood Leaders Managing the Stress of Working in Response to COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association
Presented by LaWanda Wesley, EdD, Julie Nicholson, PhD, Julie Kurtz, MS
Video

Presenters

LaWanda Wesley, EdDJulie Nicholson, PhDJulie Kurtz, MS
Course: #31783Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Maintaining a commitment to professionalism1 Hour
  'Very helpful'   Read Reviews
Learn to manage your own stress response to the uncertain climate created by COVID-19 and identify concrete practical strategies to buffer stress and build resilience, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Emergency Response Strategies to Support Young Children and Families during COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association
Presented by LaWanda Wesley, EdD, Julie Nicholson, PhD, Julie Kurtz, MS
Video

Presenters

LaWanda Wesley, EdDJulie Nicholson, PhDJulie Kurtz, MS
Course: #31785Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Building productive relationships with families1 Hour
  'Great information'   Read Reviews
Learn concrete practical strategies to support young children and families impacted by the stress and effects of social distancing resulting from COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Supporting Young Children through Change, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association
Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS
Video

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS
Course: #31843Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour
  'Interesting Course'   Read Reviews
Learn concrete strategies to support young children faced with BIG life transitions such as returning from break, extended absences (fire, COVID-19, tornado, flood), or starting school, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.