iVoice Angelica Perez on Education Nation

MONDAY'S TAKE AWAY

As a psychologist, I knew how critical the first years of a child's brain development were. However, I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the power of interactions with parents and other social interactions literally immediately after birth. Every parent-to-be needs to know this information -- the importance of the first 2,000 days -- and how playing, talking, smiling and reading to your child sets the foundation for life-long learning.

TUESDAY'S TAKE AWAY

My favorite panel of the entire 3-day conference was the students' panel. Their stories were so powerful and compelling. They were smart, insightful and so real. That panel alone spoke about the problems, the challenges and the solutions we need to bring this country to educational greatness. We need to listen to our young people more.

Follow Angélica Pérez on Twitter (@NewLatina).