ing relationships with young children that help create the
healthy brain. We further support learning by implementing
developmentally appropriate practice through experiences,
interactions, and environments.
Curiosity about people, words, numbers, and how the
world works makes primary grade students ready to succeed
in learning. Primary teachers highly value children’s
ability to pay attention to their projects and the teacher’s
directions. Memory helps children build on knowledge they
already have in order to understand more complex concepts
and engage in elaborate play. Having problem-solving
skills helps in learning academic skills and concepts and is
very important for settling differences when children have
conflicts. Finally, the ability to continue work on a problem
or a project when it becomes frustrating is vital in elementary
and secondary school—everyone has had a salt map
that crumbles or an impossible math problem. We can support
the development of children who maintain the wonder
and skills for learning throughout their lives.