Early Childhood Brain Insights

Simply LOVING.....

2013-04-08T14:07:00.001-05:00

The title I have given this post is .... Simply Loving!

This really is what life is simply ALL about!!

“A baby is born with a need to be loved and never outgrows it”

~ Frank A.Clark

One of my greatest desires is for every baby to start out life feeling loved! It is what the brain needs most.... and we do never outgrow the need to feel love.

But, if a baby gets the needed love early in life... it leads to the benefit of feeling love inside throughout life and having less need to seek it elsewhere.

Due to this I am beyond thrilled to share something new I have created. It came from my heart for the benefit of all babies. The information and link are below.

But..... I just watched what I feel is an fantastic piece from Nic Askew at Soul Biographies and wanted to first share this with you. I follow and SO admire Nic's work. He provides very moving films that I love!! And thought you may enjoy and benefit from this one in particular.

Nic shares:

The fascinating thing about many riddles is that you can stare at them and completely miss their point. And often, a riddle will fool you into the illusion of understanding. A short film about the nature and whereabouts of joy.

THE RIDDLE OF HERE / words also by Nic

We're looking. For something so simple.

So simple, that we can't hold it in
our hands. Or in our heads.

So we look to him. To her.
To them. To there.

We look to everywhere
but here.
To when. To then.
But not to now.

It's hidden just beyond
our cleverness.

So we presume it's
out there.

But perhaps it's in here.

Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I have!

Announcement of Something New:

Loving a Baby Prints

Now Available to promote the need babies have for love!

The inspiring message combined with the beautiful photo makes it perfect to frame and hang in baby's room. It is also sturdy enough to use this heartwarming poster in early childhood centers, parenting programs, and physician's offices without framing. These wonderful prints make a very affordable caring way to easily share the message everywhere!

There are
Three Beautiful Versions for you to choose from!

Every baby thanks you!

CAN THIS DISRUPT A BABY"S SLEEP?

2013-03-19T07:31:00.001-05:00

Question from a Mom:

I am so tired! We just moved and my baby isn't sleeping. He usually sleeps through the night, until now. Do you think the move is affecting him? He is only a BABY why should it bother him?

---------------------

These are some of the thoughts your baby might want to verbalize if he could.

"Dear Mom,

Moving is very stressful for me. You are so anxious and busy. It feels like you don't love me and are too busy for me. Am I bad or did I do something wrong? I was so familiar with our old house. This new room is so scary and the noises are all new and different. I feel overwhelmed. Where are my old friends, my room, my toys? I just feel sad. I wonder if I will I ever feel better. If you can leave an apt or house, perhaps you can leave me too! When I miss you I wonder if you are coming back , I am not sure?”

Brain Insights:

Your baby is expressing some very real feelings that are very natural as a result of the change in his life. As a caring parent, it is wonderful that even though you are not sure, you have considered that it could be the move that is affecting your son’s sleep.

Understanding a couple of areas of early brain development may help address your excellent questions.

1. Brains adapt to the environment they are most exposed to. Through repeated experiences a baby’s brain learns what to expect from their surroundings. The brain actually creates connections based on these repeated experiences. Your baby has adapted his brain to the sounds, people and familiar objects of your previous home.

2. Brains also are primarily focused on survival. All brains are constantly unconsciously scanning the environment for safety. It determines if the environment and the people in it are safe. The brain becomes alerted if there is something new or different. Until it decides if the new situation or objects are safe, the brain stays on alert.

Through this understanding you will better be able to help your son adjust and feel comfortable in your new surroundings. You can provide verbal reassurance. You are the person he depends on most to keep him safe. He has to rely on you to let him know if he is in a secure situation or if he should be frightened. So, in addition to your verbal reassurance, he will also pay a great amount of attention to your non-verbal expressions and feelings. The more you are calm and show comfort in the new home, he will begin to learn this is a safe place and will relax.

This trust and dependence on a parent is clearly evident in the Visual Cliff

Experiment by Joseph Campos and shared by Mind in the Making.You can watch it here and get a better idea of the very real impact your actions have on your baby.

Ava Parnass from Listen to Me Please,

provides additional valuable insights:

One of the first things I learned about in college was the Hans Selye scale of stress. To this day it still stays with me despite all the other amazing interesting things I have learned and am learning since. Selye put moving to a new place, death and divorce right at the top of the list of the stressors that families experience.

As a baby-child psychotherapist for over 20 years I have seen how moving is just as stressful for babies and children as it is for adults. The stress of moving can cause some new or regressive sleep problems for your baby or toddler.

As adults, we tend to stress over the details and even though babies and young children don’t stress as much about those details, they will feel the anxiety from you and also feel their own anxiety that such enormous change causes. Moving is totally disruptive — new room, new house, new school, new caregiver -babysitters, new friends, etc. And let's not forget, the noises are different. New things are scary and most of all the grown-ups are preoccupied.

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers thrive on routine, so when those routines are disrupted, it can make babies anxious and have many feelings that are keeping them awake at night. Babies and toddlers lack the words and self-awareness to articulate their feelings. They may show a variety of different behavioral signs and ways expressing their feelings.

Things you could do and say:

1. Show me pictures of old house during the day. Play; Bye Bye old house, Hello new house. Connecting a picture to a feeling and event facilitates learning.

Say: "I know you must miss your friends and your room. Missing is a hard feeling." (empathy)

"I am sorry. Soon you will feel better and I will help you." (empathy and hope)

2. You can role play with stuffed animals, use a play crib, have animals sleeping in the new bed and room during the day. This works even with a baby.

You play all the roles, keep it brief, and make it fun. Role playing helps kids cope with hard feelings and transitions, and helps build resilience.

3. Say, “Mommy (Daddy) always come back, but houses we say good-bye to sometimes.”

Repeat frequently during the day. (empathy and building object constancy, that grown-ups do come back)

4. Keep in mind when babies are adjusting to a new sleep routine in a new home, an additional factor in not sleeping can be daylight saving time and time zone shifts. So adjust the routine accordingly.

5. Try to make sure that the first month or so after your move is as “normal” as possible.Try to minimize the amount of changes in the first weeks of the move.

6. You may have to start or restart gentle sleep training with Emotional Intelligence.

(e-book and a new book, Time-In not Time-Out coming soon, Ava Parnass)

A: Sit by bed for a few minutes as your child settles in at night after your regular routine bath book cuddles etc.

B: When the baby cries say 2 lines with no affect (feeling) (parents need to make night time not interesting but at the same time feel safe and secure)

Say, "I love you, I know moving is hard and I bet you miss your old things!"

“Mommy or Daddy always come back to see you when you wake up. We will have fun and play in morning when the sun is up.”

7. Keep the routine as regular as possible throughout the day. Of course bedtime routine will be most important to keep consistent.

8. Spend time in your son’s room with him. When you or he hear a sound, verbalize what the sound is. For example: “You hear the water running in the kitchen, don’t you?” Or, “I hear the clock from the living room can you hear it? It sounds like it did at our old house doesn’t it?”

9. Arrange the furniture and belongings in your son’s room as close to the way it was in your previous home as possible. As you put things in place you tell your son, “This is like it was in your room at the old house isn’t it?”

10. Make sure you provide fun interaction time together throughout the day, so your baby gets the attention he needs. Brain Development Activity Packets provide an extremely easy way to have ideas right on hand. Each activity also explains how it is good for your son’s brain development. Which will help relieve some of your worries!

NOT SURPRISING, IS IT?

2013-03-14T12:52:00.002-05:00

Brain Insights places a great amount of focus on the critical impact early relationships have on the developing brain. Due an emphasis to create this essential understanding, I can not be more trilled to share exciting research findings with you.

This important research was posted in Neuron News in 2012, but I just became aware of it today. Of course, I wanted to share it with you immediately.

This can be so reassuring for caring parents! These findings can also be inspiring to those wanting additional evidence that there is a critical need to place greater emphasis on this area and time of development.

Below is the beginning portion of the article:

Mom’s Love Good for Child’s Brain

Posted on January 30, 2012
By Neuroscience News

School-age children whose mothers nurtured them early in life have brains with a larger hippocampus, a key structure important to learning, memory and response to stress.
The new research, by child psychiatrists and neuroscientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, is the first to show that changes in this critical region of children’s brain anatomy are linked to a mother’s nurturing.

Their research is published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.

“This study validates something that seems to be intuitive, which is just how important nurturing parents are to creating adaptive human beings,” says lead author Joan L. Luby, MD, professor of child psychiatry. “I think the public health implications suggest that we should pay more attention to parents’ nurturing, and we should do what we can as a society to foster these skills because clearly nurturing has a very, very big impact on later development.” (Read more)

This article also complements and supports the focus I shared in the February, Brain Insights Newsletter:

Creating Great Connections & H.O.P.E

(Click for the full newsletter and res ources)

Loving Our Children!

One of the primary reasons I started Brain Insights was to create a realization of the impact loving interaction has on the developing brain. My intent has been to help develop a greater awareness of the need for and positive effects of attachment.

Anyone that has heard me present knows how I emphasize this essential aspect of optimal brain development. As I often point out, it not only affects social/emotional development, behavior, and relationships, it also impacts cognitive development. This wonderful video clip of the still face experiment clearly illustrates the need for a secure connection.

Through consistent and loving interactions, valuable connections are physically made in the baby's brain. The feeling of security and predictability that the child learns through these interactions leads to an emotionally healthy child ready for relationships and learning.

Recently it has become apparent that there continues to be both a lack of knowledge and understanding about the need for secure attachment, as well as confusion about what attachment is. Additionally, there are numerous children hurting and exhibiting "out of control behaviors" as a result of insecure attachment. So parents and educators are looking for help and information.

This issue is therefore entirely focused on attachment.

It is my hope that through these resources, you will either find ways to directly help children in your life or use the information to help promote the much needed understanding. It truly makes a dramatic and long lasting difference!

Filled with hope,

Deborah

Let's each do ALL we can to make sure this information is used and shared EVERYWHERE.

We need to do everything possible to ensure every child has the nurturing relationship they deserve!

EVERY child deserves to develop their brain to their fullest potential and it begins with love!

Love Your Baby Brain Packets Make It Easy for Busy Caring Parents!

LOVE YOUR BABY

YOUR BABY SAYS: "I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS!"

2013-03-11T10:32:00.000-05:00

There are so many things to think about as a parent or care provider of an infant or toddler. But there is one thing that makes life easier for you and better for the baby. When you stop to see things through the baby’s eyes, or think about how you would feel in the same situation, and then tell the baby that you understand, it helps… A LOT!

This is a perspective babies would so love for you to know:

“Throughout the day there are SO many different emotions I feel. The thing is my brain is to immature to have the ability to deal with all of these feelings on my own. Because you are my parent or caretaker I SO need to you to help me with all I feel and it feels so good when you do!

Even though it may not seem like it, I do understand more about what is going on than you may realize. All that takes place throughout our day together creates

many different emotions for me.

Do you know what is the absolute best feeling of all for me?

When you notice and acknowledge things from my perspective, it feels so good. When I hear you share that you understand, it feels so incredibly wonderful.

I love when you respect me as a real person.

Even though at times it may seem that I may not be affected by things going on in our life, this really is not true. My brain is designed to learn through interacting with the world and the people in my life. So, I pick up on everything. My brain actually tunes in on the emotional atmosphere within seconds. Even seeing you frown can easily impact my brain and my mood."

"I realize sometimes it is not always easy for you to see things from my perspective, but what I would love most is for you do to all you can to try.

Then when you see things in this way, and then tell me that you understand, it feels so extremely comforting!

It so warms my heart, calms my brain and relaxes me to have you express that you realize and address how I am feeling. Through these caring interactions you are helping my brain begin to make the pathway connections for learning to deal with emotions."

Ava Parnass, a baby/child psychotherapist loves helping parents to start developing, Emergent Emotional Intelligence, in their babies. I am pleased that Ava has collaborated with me on this post to share valuable insights for contributing to a child's healthy emotional development.

Every child is born with an emotional thermostat that can be developed, built up or broken down. At first emotions are expressed by crying, giggles, squirms, smiles, eye twinkles , turning away, etc., and then by behavior. As children mature it is important for adults to role model and help kids to develop the ability to regulate their emotions with words so they start to recognize and address their feelings underneath their behavior.

One Example from a Baby's Perspective

“When I am strapped into a seat and cannot move or explore, I feel very restrained and frustrated. Please, understand this is not a good feeling for me and it really feels good when I feel you know that. Empathy can be felt and understood by me and it helps me deal with my emotions"

Things Grown-ups can Say

“I know it is so hard to sit in your seat when you want to move! (Expressing Empathy)

"I imagine you would rather be held or play." (Becoming a baby detective: What emotions is your child's crying, mood or behavior expressing?)

“I know it’s frustrating. Maybe you feel trapped or confined.” (Label and identify the potential feeling)

If the baby is still crying ...

You could say, "I am so sorry, you are stuck in the car seat.” Use a soothing voice despite how anxious the crying can make you. (Empathy expressed again)

"I’m sorry, but I need to strap you in to keep you safe and protect you." (Explanation of why you are doing something comes after empathy)

"I know it’s hard to wait to play or be held! Let's take a break from the car seat for a few minutes, I see you are getting squirmy! Oh my, you have been in it for 30 min already!" (Realizing the perspective of the baby again)

"As you get older waiting gets easier." (Starting to assist in the development of patience, resilience and emotional intelligence)

"We can play again later." Time feels like forever to babies and toddlers. (Provide hope)

Ideas For You

1. Role playing any activity can pave the way for adjusting to transitions. But, don't lose hope if role playing does not show immediate success. It may not work right away, but it has a lot of value as your child develops the ability to adjust to new situations.

2. Play with the car seat in the house so the baby can get used to going into it. With very brief periods of fun play, the child learns it’s not just a 'jail'!

3. Make sure the baby gets enough activity, play, kisses and interaction before they get in the car seat.

4. Talk to the baby in a way that you'd like to be spoken too. Keep repeating a few times in a soft voice, "I know sometimes it can be hard to sit in the car seat. I'm sorry that it's frustrating. We can cuddle and play when we get out of the car.”

5. Make a car seat game. Instead of (I'm going to chase you) try instead, “I'm going kiss and cuddle you while I buckle you in."

6. Have a favorite toy or stuffed animal in car. And add new ones to explore and attract attention. In additional to things that are comforting and familiar, babies brains also love to learn and explore new things.

7. If you are not the person driving, read books or do finger plays with the baby. Try fun ideas from brain development activity packets or Love Your Baby App.

8. Use a soothing voice and sing to or play music to help calm the baby. Or use fun songs and music to entertain the baby.

9. Long trips generally need lots of feeding, play, cuddles and movement breaks depending on the age of your child and their temperament.

10. Some babies are okay being in their coat others need less restriction, so warm up the car or bring a blanket!

It sometimes is quite amazing how simply letting your baby know that you understand how they are feeling, can make a remarkable difference! Hopefully these insights and tips bring you and the baby in your life great enjoyment of time spent together!

This post was co-authored with: Ava Parnass ~ Listen To Me Please.com

Ava Parnass, a.k.a. “The Kid Whisperer,” is an author, songwriter and child therapist who specializes in marrying Entertainment, Emotional Intelligence and Time-In not Time-Out for kids. Ms Parnass helps kids figure out how they feel through playing, talking, listening, reading, singing and dancing.
Her multi-media materials, books and songs encourage parents and kids to read and sing along, in the process learning how awareness of feelings “Emotional Intelligence” improves problems and behavioral issues. Parenting is a hard job and the books and songs really help kids and parents put a finger on what is bugging them and change it.

Rainbows of Fun!!

2013-03-08T17:59:00.000-06:00

Rainbows instill a feeling of happiness and fun!! Of course fun and happiness is something we want for the children in our lives! Fun and happiness of course positively contributes to less stressed and healthy, learning brains.

In a post for the Pre K and K Sharing blog I have shared a rainbow of needs for children. You can enjoy it here:

Over the Rainbow: 8 Essential Needs of Developing Brains (click here)

I have created a post of a RAINBOW of needs all children want all adults to know. This rainbow leads to something better than a pot of gold at the end and it doesn’t depend on luck! Having these eight needs met will contribute to a happy life with a healthy and well developed brain! (The scarecrow could have used these early in his life!)

Winning terrific toys also leads to

fun and happiness!

Announcing the winners of the

Soft Blocks Give Away!

Stacy Miller

&

Gena Barnhart

These winners will each win a set of Soft Blocks

(click here to learn more & order your own set!)

Congratulations!!

Thank you to everyone who entered!

For additional fun.... Did you know there is a movie being made focusing entirely on the importance of PLAY?

Enjoy watching this trailer:

SERIOUSLY: A Movie About Play!

(Click here to view and enjoy)

For ideas for ways to have fun with children while waiting in line, at the grocery store, while waiting for an appointment or anytime during your busy life grab one of the rainbow colored brain development packets out of your pocket and create happiness!

Have a VERY fun day!

Like Toys? Good News To Report!

2013-02-27T15:53:00.000-06:00

It is quite frequent that I am asked, “Which toys promote brain development best?”. Many parents also inquire about DVD’s and programs to teach babies to read. My response always is, “Loving interaction and play with real objects is what a developing brain needs most.”

So what I recommend is to avoid buying expensive electronic toys and DVD/flashcard programs, and look instead for toys that really are best for children. The type of play and toys that support the best learning are ones that provide opportunities to, create, explore, use imagination, manipulate in various ways and encourage movement. When these activities are driven by a child’s own interests this is when you will almost be able to see brain connections being made!

This is where the good news comes in. When attending Toy Fair 2013 in New York, I experienced a welcome surprise. As enthusiastic as I was about attending, I also anticipated feeling frustration. My expectation was that I would see several toys that were not designed with a developing brain in mind.

But, I experienced just the opposite. I am thrilled to let you know, there were numerous companies exhibiting toys that are very beneficial for growing brains! Some of the criteria I use to determine if a toy or activity is best is if does at least one of the following:

· Provides an opportunity for direct interaction and manipulation
· Gives a child a chance to develop something with their hands
· Offers a variety of ways of using the toy or objects
· Sparks imagination and creativity
· Allows the child to repeat a process
· Promotes physical activity

It was a pleasure attending Toy Fair with two extraordinary women who have extensive knowledge and experience in the toy industry. Dena Quilici is a talented toy designer who previously worked with Playskool. Cheryl McCarthy who was an innovator with Hasbro, and is now a writing partner with Gill Connell of Moving Smart.

(The new book from Gill and Cheryl is one, I can not be more enthused about being released this Fall!)

It was terrific to see the show through the eyes of Dena and Cheryl and to benefit from their expertise. Following the show they shared this great article, New York Toy Fair 2013, which expresses many of the same thoughts I had about many of the 2013 toys focusing on brains.

As a result, for your benefit, I have created...

A Virtual Toy Fair for You!

Through the links below you can visit some of the companies that are a GREAT pleasure to highlight.

AND….

Soft Blocks is graciously donating 2 sets of their wonderful products as a give away for you!!!

Simply comment below or send an email if you would like to be entered in the drawing for 1 of the 2 sets being given away! Enter by March 8th!

__________________________________________________________

These are SO GREAT! It is so fun making parents and educators aware of this terrific new toy!

Soft Blocks (Click to learn more)

SOFT BLOCKS are unique interlock blocks for children 3 & older that help foster problem solving skills and constructive building techniques.

Children instinctively respond to the soft material which also makes playing ouch-free; no need to worry about stepping or sitting on SOFT BLOCKS as they will just softly bend and squish!

Unlike small hard plastic building blocks which little fingers can have a hard time snapping together and prying apart; SOFT BLOCKS fit together and come apart with ease.

Sold in a set of 36 blocks in four primary colors of red, blue, yellow, and green, the building possibilities are endless.

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This game is receiving a great amount of deserved attention and enthusiasm! And I am thrilled about it.

Flip2BFit (Click to learn more)

A new and exciting way to jump, stretch and twist your way to a healthier happier lifestye!!!

Flip2BFit® the exciting new kid’s fitness board game where you compete, build team spirit and individual goals while stretching, jumping and twisting your way to Springers’ Park!!! Looking for an easy, interactive way to teach your children about healthy eating options? With Flip2BFit you can increase their physical fitness levels without them even knowing it! Whether you’re building strength, increasing cardio or stretching out to a few yoga poses, you will find Flip2BFit® the most fun you’ve had playing a board game. Working to prevent childhood obesity one exercise at a time Flip2BFit is this generations answer to Fitness made Fun!

Flip2BFIT has also earned a honor of a Perfered Product Award from Kidlutions!

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It is probably obvious that Brain Insights would be enthused about Educational Insights isn't it!?

Educational Insights (click to learn more)

"Engage Minds, Inspire Discovery!

It may sound simple, but this is our driving philosophy at Educational Insights."

________________________________________________________________

You can actually feel the love through this company! I think you will love it as much as I do!

Tiny Love (Click to Learn More)

Tiny Love is an award-winning international baby products company that creates stimulating developmental toys and products which encourage babies' growth and development.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Entirely brain focused! Of course I wanted to share this one too!

Fat Brain Toy Company (Click to Learn More)

"The Fat Brain Toy Co. was formed to develop creative, mind-expanding toys, games and gifts for the specialty toy industry.

The company has developed a number of critically-acclaimed products."

______________________________________________________________

Hopefully you have enjoyed exploring all of these great companies that are providing so many positive ways to develop healthy learning brains!!

Have fun shopping and playing ...

and don't forget to post a comment or send an email by March 8th
to win

a set of Soft Blocks!!

How Long Have We Known What Is Essential To Healthy Development?

2013-01-28T12:40:00.000-06:00

It is quite frequent that I ask the question…

“Why is it that we know what a developing brain needs, but with increasing frequently too many children are experiencing the opposite?”

There are numerous studies that provide evidence of what is needed for a child’s healthy development. These of course are things I write and speak about every day. I, along with many other professionals, share information about the importance of play, nutrition, sleep, time in nature, and physical activity.

Today I picked up a book that I have had on my bookshelf for awhile. In flipping through it, I found the following statements:

“Play, is the development of the human mind, its first effort to make acquaintance with the outside world. The child indeed sees no purpose in it, sees not the end that is to be reached; but it expresses its own nature, and that is human nature in its playful activity.”

Additionally, it goes on to say…

“It is the duty of every teacher, whether in city or country, to impress upon pupils, by emphatic iteration, the laws of health in relation to food, air, sleep, rest, exercise, play, work and personal habits in general. Teachers should give attention to the encouragement of games, play and amusement.”

“It is a mistaken notion of some pedagogues that the chief end of children is to go to school and study lessons from books. It is painful to witness, in many schools, how the plastic, growing bodies are cramped, how natural impulses are repressed, how the laws of nature are systematically violated. Physicians know this, though teachers and parents shut their eyes to the painful facts.”

Are you surprised to find out that these statements were published in,

Methods of Teaching by John Swett .......

In 1883!!!!!

We have known what is best for children's healthy development and learning for at least 130 years. And, now due to technological advances, we even have scientific evidence to show us what is best for young growing bodies and brains. It is no longer only based on theory and behavioral studies, and we are still having to promote, educate and advocate for children to get all of what they need most!!......

Why?

Congratulations .......

go to Karen Shaw of Parenting Magic. She had the closest guess! She actually guessed 1887!!!

All of the other guesses were in a range from 1951 to 2008!!

I will donate a brain packet for the age of her choice (in English or Spanish) or a nature brain packet to the program or organization she chooses, in her name!

Creating a Better Life... for Everyone!

2013-01-25T12:51:00.002-06:00

The Best Year Yet!

In the January Brain Insights Newsletter I share the following thoughts, feelings and visions with all of the fabulous people that subscribe and wanted to share with you also!

The new year brings with it the wonderful anticipation for creating improvement in our lives! It can bring excitement for all that is possible! Isn't that a wonderful feeling!?

This is exactly why I also get so EXTREMELY enthused about all we know, understand and are continuing to learn about the brain!! This knowledge and awareness about the brain also provides excitement for new possibilities. When we have our brains functioning best... we can be an even more positive influence for everyone in our lives. And... when we better understand and provide what brains need most, then we can support optimal growth, health and happiness!

Often, with new year resolutions we primarily focus on improving our bodies. Isn't if funny that we don't usually make resolutions to make positive changes for our brain? The beauty is however, if we focus on doing what is best for our brains... everything in life improves!

It is with this focus, I am thrilled to share a new program for caring communities throughout the country. As a result of the post I wrote following the tragic event in Newton, CT , I developed this unique presentation called, Creating Great Connections, for those asking...."What can we do?". It is my belief that we should use this DEEPLY sad event to turn it into something positive for every community. It would be wonderful to use the feeling of pulling together in support of each other to make it happen EVERYWHERE... EVERY DAY!

Let's make 2013 a year that we REALLY use our brains.... (and our Hearts)!

Filled with hope,

Deborah

To benefit from all of the additional articles and resource links in the January Issue of Creating Great Connections,

click here and ENJOY!!

Since publishing the January Newsletter, I have read this article about these interesting and related findings to also share with you:

"Social psychologists are increasingly finding that "prosocial" behavior -- including expressing gratitude and giving to others -- is key to our psychological well-being. Even how we choose to spend our money on purchases affects our health and happiness. And children develop specific ways to help others from a very young age." Read more here.

Hopefully 2013 is starting out to be a SPECTACULAR year for you and one that will make an extremely positive difference for children and families everywhere!!

My Heart Says... "What If?

2012-12-16T11:59:00.000-06:00

This post is a bit different than most of the insights shared here. This one is written to share and express feelings, thoughts and dreams due to the school shooting in CT. It is the result of having a conversation last night with Debi Schwid, a wonderful friend, combined with the expression of care and concern being shared by people everywhere. This is a post to ask important questions.....

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in CT was (ANOTHER) horrible and extremely heart breaking event for our country. When horrific and tragic events such as these occur they evoke a variety of overwhelming emotions including disbelief, anger, heartbreak, and intense grief.

These events also create an outpouring of incredible love, compassion, a sense of community and a very strong connectedness. It is my dream that instead of only coming together when horrible horrific events happen this would be felt every day!

What if...... we hold the memory of the innocent and beautiful children and these heroic adults in our hearts every day.... and have their lives serve as a reminder to use the feelings of togetherness we feel today to continue an ongoing connection with one another?

What if..... we value and cherish every moment of the lives of every child?

What if..... we recognize the dedicated, caring educators and the other numerous committed professionals who are doing heroic acts to make a positive difference for children every day?

What if.... we use all of the research we have that demonstrates the consistent love, safety, nurturing, play, nutrition, predictability and attention children need to help develop healthy brains right from birth?

What if.... we better recognize and support those who are suffering as an open-minded and caring community?

What if.... we just continuously and warmly hold in our hearts the feelings of coming together... rather then only when a tragedy occurs?

What if.... we felt this wonderful sense of connection with each other

.....EVERY DAY?

With heartfelt thanks to everyone that is making a positive difference in meaningful ways every day!

Sincerely,

Deborah

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Brains Need Sleep!

2012-11-26T21:14:00.000-06:00

Sleep enhances cognitive functioning and influences moods. Having enough sleep contributes to a more positive mood. When the brain lacks the sleep it needs, brain systems become out of balance. Young (and adult) brains become more easily agitated when sleep deprived.

Research shows the quality and amount of sleep not only affects our moods, it also influences our mental sharpness, productivity, creativity, physical activity level, and also weight. Sleep provides all of these benefits... and it feels so good! The printable for this week shares information on the benefit of sleep.

Printable #10 Brains Need Sleep

Learning and family interactions can be easily affected by lack of sleep. Here are a few tips to help ensure your family is getting enough of the quality sleep your brains need to keep everyone happier:

Plan activities to take place before or after children's nap times or before bedtimes.
Do all you can to keep bedtimes and bedtime routines as consistent as possible.
Provide calm activities like reading a book, giving a massage, taking a warm bath, or listening to soothing music as part of the bedtime routine.
Eliminate watching television or using other electronics with bright lights prior to bedtime routines.
Provide "brain calming" foods as a bedtime snack such as warm milk, a banana, toast with almond butter, or oatmeal with a bit of peanut butter added.

A research study reported in Child Development found, "Higher proportions of total sleep occurring at night time, at both 12 and 18 months, were related to better performance on executive tasks, especially those involving a strong impulse control component."

This post provides valuable information on sleep pattern issues in babies. This is very helpful for parents wanting to understand sleep regression.

If you are looking for resources to help promote sleep, Lori Lite of Stress Free Kids provides Music CDs for Relaxation.

The following guide might be very useful for you as well.

The Average Amount of Sleep Needed By Age

Newborns (0-2 months)	12 - 18
Infants (3 months to 1 year)	14 - 15
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)	12 - 14
Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)	11 - 13
School-aged children (5 to 12 years)	10 - 11
Teens and preteens (12 to 18 years)	8.5 - 10
Adults (18+)	7.5 - 9 SWEET DREAMS!

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Movement Activities Advance Brain Growth and Learning

2012-11-12T16:33:00.001-06:00

It is very exciting for me to see an increasing amount of research and wide ranging information on the benefits of play for healthy brain development. One area in particular that is demonstrated to make an extremely positive effect on growing brains is, movement and physical activity. The thing that seems to be occurring however, is that while the awareness of the value of movement and play is becoming better understood, the amount of time children play is not increasing.

The printable for this week explains the benefits of physical activity and movement. When children move, various brain areas are activated and essential connections for a wide range of abilities are created. As a result of repeating these activities the connections become stronger. There is a saying, "Brain cells that fire together...wire together." The opportunity for this to occur is exactly what play and movement activities provide.

This past weekend I had the wonderful pleasure to sit down and talk with Gill Connell while here from New Zealand. Gill is the founder of MOVING SMART, and co-author of MOVING TO LEARN. In one of her extremely valuable blog posts she writes,

"The most powerful tool for fostering the growth and development of neural connections in your child’s brain is physical movement. "

Printable #9

Movement Activities Advance Brain Growth and Learning!

Too often it is thought that the best way to help children develop and learn is to provide structured activities that require children to sit and not fidget. However, research demonstrates that play and physical activities contributes to the development of better language and social skills. Evidence also reveals that movement is effective in the reduction of stress and leads to greater ability to pay attention.

So, it is essential that all adults ensure that children have the opportunity to use their energy in the ways that comes very naturally! The brains of children say "to learn best, we NEED to move and play!"

Your brain will also benefit,

so join in and have lots of fun!!

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Brighter Brains Result from Good Nutrition!

2012-11-06T08:14:00.000-06:00

Sadly, the brain sometimes gets neglected when it comes to nutrition. Often healthy foods are only thought of as impacting the body. However, growing brains need certain things to function well. When it doesn’t get what it needs, it doesn’t work at its best.

At times the brain actually gets the opposite of what it needs. There are many things that are provided for children that the brain doesn’t know what to do with. When this happens, a child's brain does not perform well. And, an immature brain does not yet have the ability to control the unbalanced brain systems. The printable for this week focuses on the impact of this.

It is wonderful that the solution is extremely simple.... give children the nutrients their brain needs most!

It especially helps when children know which foods are most healthy. Many children feel a great amount of pride when they learn about healthy foods. It is very fun to hear children share excitement as they eat nutritious foods and express ... "this is good for my brain."

When presenting I am frequently told by audiences, that many school breakfast programs are comprised of sugary cereals and sugary juices. This is completely the opposite of what the brain needs....Especially for breakfast! When eating these types of foods without adequate amounts of protein, the brain does not have the nutrients to function well. It is not fair to a child to be expected to listen, sit still, pay attention and learn, if their brain is not given what is needed to help make all of this happen.

Printable #8
Brighter Brains Result from Good Nutrition!

Kelly Dorfman has written an extremely wonderful book that is full of very valuable and important insights on nutrition for children: What's Eating Your Child?

It is a book that is based on real kids to make it an easy and inspiring read. Check out this terrific video clip of Kelly to find all she provides for caring educators and parents.

Have a very healthy day!

NEW INSIGHTS!

2012-11-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

The Creating Great Connections and HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Newsletter has been revised. Through the wonderful feedback received, I am thrilled to share with you the new version of the newsletter.

It is filled with a wide variety of information from various areas to continue to make brain development common knowledge on the part of EVERYONE! The newsletter includes links that contribute to better understanding and also bits of brain information that are easy to share!

It is such a pleasure to share it with you, because the intent is to make this interactive. If you know of a terrific book, research, blog, website, conference, etc, that should be included, send the link to me and if it is used, I will give you credit for contributing. It will be wonderful to share something that you would like others to be informed about relating to life skill development and healthy brains.

Hopefully, you will also enjoy visiting the sites of the sponsors for this issue. Moving Smart and Healthy Foundations are both very dedicated to making a great difference for developing young children.

Thank you for your part in making a positive difference and creating the needed understanding of what is need most for young children! As I always say... "We ALL benefit when ALL children have healthy brains!"

Creating Great Connections and

HOPE Newsletter

November 1, 2012

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Loving Relationships Are Critically Important In Many Ways

2012-10-29T11:22:00.001-05:00

Far to often it is thought that loving relationships only impact the emotional development of children. And further, there is frequently the belief that the emotional development of children is not as important as cognitive development.

The understanding that is critically needed however is that early relationships impact overall brain development. It is extremely beneficial that everyone understands that when a child experiences nurturing, stimulating and predictable interactions early in life, this leads to the necessary ability to self regulate.

Printable #7 shares some of the valuable results that occur when self regulation is developed through early positive interactions.

Printable #7

Loving Relationships Are Critically Important In Many Ways

This excellent video Executive Function: Skills for Life and Learning from Center on the Developing Child also clearly explains the development of these critical skills.

Have enjoyable week sharing this

important information!

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Play Is The Way To Develop Brains Best!

2012-10-22T11:25:00.000-05:00

Hillary at Toys Naturally sent this wonderful poem. She was inspired and wrote it in response to the article I posted on iPadding Toddlers When is Too Soon and a few other posts I have previously shared on the topic of screen time for young children.
I have added photos to the text of the poem to share with you. The poem and photos emphasizes the importance of play and interactions with real objects for real learning and healthy early brain development.

The printable for this week explains the valuable difference play makes.

I read a tweet and saw a blog

Young minds, affected, in a fog

Television, switched on all day

Destroying childhood, killing play

I felt virtuous - only half an hour

My wee one was a protected flower?

I thought some more and then said why?

No TV a few days c’mon-let’s try

Next day we did not switch it on

Instead played blocks and had some fun

Out came play dough and some books

Lots of cuddles and a few funny looks

Out came the tea set and a teddy bear

Bottomless pretend tea and cookies to share

On goes music and we go grooving

Wow yes it’s true our brains, improving

That half an hour, we have it back

To play, to share, to have a yack.

As I chop and cook a dinner for 3

My wee one plays and enlightens me.

PRINTABLE #6 -

Play Is The Way To Develop Brains Best!

Enjoy Sharing and Have FUN!

The Brain Development Series was developed with all of these scene in mind. Each packet is filled with ways to easily provide this opportunity for every child and family ... and the best thing is... it works into your busy everyday life!

The toys provided by Toys Naturally are beautiful. You can visit the site here to order wonderful products for the young growing brains in your life!

More Evidence! Childhood Stimulation is Key to Brain Development

2012-10-19T12:51:00.000-05:00

New research was recently shared to give further evidence of the importance of positive stimulation in the preschool years.

A long term study revealed that the age of four is a critical time of enrichment for language and cognitive development.

This article, Childhood Stimulation Key to Brain Development, reports that,

"Scientists found that the more mental stimulation a child gets around the age of four, the more developed the parts of their brains dedicated to language and cognition will be in the decades ahead."

I find it extremely important to emphasize what this research designated as the important 'stimulation' that contributed positively to healthy brain development. The article shared the following perspective:

Andrea Danese, a clinical lecturer in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, said the study suggested that the experience of a nurturing home environment could have an effect on brain development regardless of familial, perhaps genetic, predispositions to better brains. Danese added that this kind of research highlighted the "tremendous role" that parents and carers had to play in enabling children to develop their cognitive, social, and emotional skills by providing safe, predictable, stimulating, and responsive personal interactions with children.

Read More on this important research here

This valuable research supports the reason for the Brain Insights 4 year old brain packet!

Following is a fun activity example adults and children can do together while, folding laundry, making dinner, riding in the car, waiting for an appointment, etc.

Sentence Completion

Make sentences for me to finish using opposite words.

Make up sentences about things around us. For example: Say, "Grass is soft, but sidewalks are ____."

Another way we can do this: Have me finish the sentence abou the presenta nd then the past. For example: Say, "I am riding my bike and yesterday I ____ my bike."

Let's Learn More While I'm Four provides ideas for exactly what these developing brains need in a way that is easy for parents to provide even during busy everyday life! Do you know a four year old?

Isn't it wonderful when we continuously get additional

information to support the importance of the early years?

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Healthy Brains Begin With Consistently Meeting Needs

2012-10-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

Responsive relationships are essential for healthy brain development!

Isn’t it wonderful that what we naturally want to do is best for a developing young brain? When a baby cries it is our natural instinct to comfort the infant. It is through consistently responding to and tuning into the expressed needs of a baby that will impact the base of the wiring in the immature brain.

Through these repeated nurturing responses, the brain begins to learn. This is the beginning of the brain wiring for self regulation and healthy emotional development. These loving interactions early in life can have an extremely positive and long lasting impact on relationships and learning throughout life. You can read more how this occurs in, Anna Wants This For Every Baby.

You can share this critically important information with the printable for this week!

Printable #5

Healthy Brains Begin With Consistently Meeting Needs

The following quote from, The Blossom Method by Vivien Sabel, shares how essential this need is and how desperately a baby needs adults to realize and understand how they are communicating.

“A baby starts talking from the moment she takes her first breath. A child’s instinct for survival and human interaction drives her to communicate with her caregivers using unique movements, facial expressions, sounds, and mouth, lip and tongue shapes."

You can learn more on this exceptional book and this essential aspect of early brain development in Astonishing Communication with a Baby Beginning at Birth.

The printable also includes an activity idea from, the LOVE YOUR BABY brain development activity packet and App.

For more wonderful ways to provide loving interactions throughout your busy day go to www.braininsightsonline.com

HAVE WONDERFUL WEEK

MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE!

NEW: Creating Great Connections and H.O.P.E.

2012-10-09T12:01:00.001-05:00

Creating Great Connections and H.O.P.E is a new and unique concept for your benefit!!

Creating Great Connections and H.O.P.E Newsletter

Brain Insights has something new that I am very excited about and am extremely anxious to share with you. It is my hope that you will be as enthused about it as I am.

There is a great wealth of information that is being shared about on helping children learn and thrive . There are fabulous blogs, tremendous books, impressive research, and terrific articles being shared all for the benefit of those who care deeply about children.

However, many of those with the desire to share this information have expressed to me great interest in creating a broader reach for those that can benefit. There is a feeling that there are many more parents, educators, social workers, health care providers, home visitors, grandparents, community leaders, etc. that could be reached. With that concern, I have been playing with ideas to come up with a solution. As a result, I have developed, Creating Great Connections and H.O.P.E.

The purpose is to provide a way for each of us to share information in a more streamlined and direct way. It also provides a method to get information that you need in a more efficient way. With Creating Great Connections we will no longer have to search numerous sites to find what we are looking for. And as the H.O.P.E community grows, we each will be reaching more people who are looking for the information we have to share!

This will be e-mailed in a newsletter format, but it is much more than a newsletter. It provides information and support entirely related to healthy brains and life skill development for ALL children. But in addition, it also is a way to better connect all of us that care so deeply about children and provides a way for us to help each other.

Whether you are working in a job that serves children in some way or you are a parent or grandparent, you will find information and questions on news related to the brain, books, resources, blogs, conferences, and also personal requests. This is designed to help you!

The main portion of the newsletter is focused on what I have titled, HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere). There are 5 categories. These are areas where you can either ask a question about something you are looking for, or respond to a question someone has asked, and you can offer your help.

Additionally, there is a section with a new article posted in each issue…. and also an opportunity for you to advertise. Guidelines, Details and Advertising Info.

If you are not already signed up to receive Brain Insights newsletters, you can do it at the bottom corner of the web page with the link here. You will then ensure you receive each issue of Creating Great Connections! There is no cost.

For more detailed information on how to get the information you need or to share with others go to directions, guidelines and advertising.

It will be wonderful to have you benefiting from and contributing to this new effort! Just follow the directions and send your requests directly to me.

With sincere appreciation,

Deborah

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: It Is Repetition That Makes Strong Connections

2012-10-08T03:00:00.000-05:00

When playing with a child, signing a song, or reading a book together, you might frequently hear, "Do it again!!" We all have probably heard this request.

This repetition is exactly what the developing brain needs. When experiences are repeated, the brain creates strong pathways of connections based on those experiences. The brain then retains those connections.

If an experience doesn't happen frequently the brain eliminates connections made from those experiences. As explained in printable #3 the brain adapts to the environment it is exposed to. The "use it or loose it" process explains how this adaptation takes place. The brain adapts skills needed for survival and success for the world in which it lives.

As a result, for healthy brain development and helping a child thrive, positive environments and experiences are needed. The printable for this week explains this and includes an activity idea to share from, Let's Learn More While I'm Four also.

Printable #4
It Is Repetition That Makes Strong Connections

In this wonderful video from Center on the Developing Child; The Science of Early Childhood Development Jack P. Shonkoff M.D. clearly explains the impact of early experiences on young brains. This is a great clip to share!

Hopefully you have a terrific week sharing and making a positive impact!!

Deborah

Brain Insights: Promoting A World of Difference!

2012-10-03T03:30:00.000-05:00

When presenting at the Parenting 2.0 Talks International Summit, Sherlyn Pang Present Parent Training conducted interviews with many of the presenters. I look forward to sharing the interviews of these incredible people that are a part of the Global Presence Guild. You can watch for these posts in upcoming weeks! I am certain you will be thrilled to know of all they are providing for children and families!

There are two purposes for sharing this... One is I am extremely appreciative to Sharylyn so I can share a visual of the Brain Development Packets. Since these are unique, it is valuable for those who find it beneficial to see samples of the packets demonstrated.

Secondly, this also brings attention to the Global Presence! In this post I am providing you the wonderful opportunity to become a part of this exciting and growing international community!

Grassroots Community of “Basically Good People” Serving Others.

"The Global Presence is an international, grassroots, volunteer organization that gives basically good people the opportunity to stand tall, link arms, and be counted. You are already serving others in dozens of ways, now is the time for you to join with like- minded individuals, be applauded for your contributions, and supported in your service."

To find out more go to Parenting 2.0 - Raising Humanity Collaboratively and Consciously

It is very difficult to adequately express how impressive, knowledgeable and extremely caring the professionals presenting at the P2.0 Talks are. I invite you to go to the Thought Leaders page and connect with these dedicated people. I am certain the valuable resource you become aware of, will enhance your work and/or personal life.

Isn't it heartwarming when we realize all that is taking place for individuals and families throughout the world?

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: The Brain Adapts to Any Environment

2012-10-01T03:30:00.000-05:00

When we understand how much of the brain develops after birth, we realize what a great opportunity this provides!

I find it extremely amazing to think about how the brain can adapt for survival and success. The brain will adapt based on the experiences, culture and environment in which it is developing.

The printable for this week focuses on how critical it is that the early environment is consistently responsive and nurturing. For healthy development, every baby requires and deserves positive and predictable loving care.

When this is provided it leads to a child having the ability to regulate emotions effectively, to be able to delay gratification, to problem solve, and to have empathy for others. (Read more in, Anna Wants This for Every Baby) And of course this is what we want to for every child!

If a child experiences just the opposite or inconsistent responses to their needs, the brain is wired completely differently. A baby that that doesn't know if cries will be answered or cries are met with hostility and harshness will experience chronic stress. (Read more about the, "Big Brain Question" our brains are always asking) This of course is the type of experiences and environment we want to avoid being the norm.

Sharing the printable for week three, will help in creating this important understanding.... and lead to optimal experiences. The children thank you for sharing!!

Printable #3 -The Brain Adapts to Any Environment

You will likely also enjoy this this valuable video clip from Parenting For Life. It explains the importance of attachment, the impact it makes and why we all need to care! The role of attachment in infancy on later mental and physical health

With great appreciation as always for all you do!!

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Growing a Brain!

2012-09-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

Did you know ........ After eight months a child exposed to a nurturing and stimulating environment may already have 1,000 trillion connections created?

As Printable #1 shared, it is the experiences a child has that physically wires and grows the brain. In the photo below, you can see the real difference experience makes to a developing brain.

This week, printable #2 explains a bit more about the growth of the brain and the needed experiences that lead to healthy connections. As a child is provided with opportunities to interact with people and their environment, brain cells make the connections that wire the brain.

Printable #2 - Growing A Brain!

WE ARE DOING IT!! Through working together and sharing we ARE making a difference!

I can not be more thrilled to have such a positive response to the printables already!! Numerous people throughout the world have read and shared the first printable already. I am SO very glad to know they are so beneficial! These are just a couple of the messages I have received.

"Keep them coming!"

"This information is so useful we use it in parent group discussions and get great conversations going."

"Just watching my 3 yr old son play and thinking about how I can see his genius--thanks to all you've taught. Thank you for taking the valuable time to research and teach about our children's TRUE potential!!!"

THANK YOU...... THANK YOU......THANK YOU!!!

BRAIN INSIGHTS TO SHARE: Early Experiences Wire a Brain

2012-09-17T17:23:00.000-05:00

On the Brain Insights website it states:

"Our focus is to be the recognized company for parents, educators, and varied professionals in providing easily understood information, outstanding products, and inspiring presentations that lead to creating awareness and understanding of all that is best for the development of healthy brains."

With this goal, I am excited to let you know..... printable Brain Insights materials are NOW AVAILABLE!!

I am frequently told that programs and agencies are using Brain Insights information for staff development, for parenting group discussions and workshops, and workplaces share with employees. It is thrilling to know that the information shared is being used in so many ways and in so many places...worldwide!!

Due to all of you working to make a positive difference with this information..... I wanted to make it even easier! Each week new information will be created as a printable. With your dedication to making this information common knowledge, hopefully you will find this to be an extremely simple way to share!

Printable #1 - Early Experiences Wire A Brain

You can print it and post it, put it in newsletters, use it as handouts, share with your next door neighbor, or share on your social networking sites. Your feedback on each one will be welcomed! Also, it would be wonderful if you would comment below to let other people know in what way you are using these. You are likely to spark an idea for someone else!

Or better yet... e-mail a photo to show how you are using the printables and I can post it to share with others!

Here also is a WONDERFUL, well done and brief video that clearly explains the impact of experience! It is provided by Harvard University Center on the Developing Child. Experiences Build Brain Architecture
Enjoy!

It is such fun working with all of you to make a world of difference for children!

Thank you once again for ALL you do!

Deborah

This printable includes and activity idea from the Love Your Baby Brain Development Packet. If you want more activities like it to have on hand everyday, go to www.braininsightsonline.com

Let's Use All We Know to Ensure REAL Brain Development is Happening for ALL Children

2012-09-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

There seem to be two common and somewhat related issues taking place when it comes to the development and learning of young children.

1. People are looking for a short cut or the "magic" program or device that will develop a child's brain.

2. There is a major focus on pushing young children to learn more academics at earlier ages.

Of course this is all well intentioned. Everyone's goal is for children to be successful in school and in life. But, if this is the focus and desire for children, it is essential that all the knowledge science is providing for us is used for the bases of the experiences children are having everyday.

I find it amazing that due to technological advances, we now understand the developing brain better than ever before, and in many cases just the opposite of what is needed most is occurring for too many children.

It took too long for it to happen, but I am thrilled that the, Your Baby Can Read program has been shut down. The Federal Trade Commission filed false advertising charges, and the company is no longer in business. The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is making headway in these critically needed efforts. Read also about the wonderful TODY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young children) Award for the Vinci Touchscreen Mobile Learning tablet that is marketed as good for helping babies learn.

This quote from the article from Peggy Sissel-Phelan, Ed. D. (a Brain Insights Advisory Board Member) is terrific:

“It’s likely to convince parents that they are doing something positive for their babies when that couldn't be farther from the truth. People don’t know that without human attention, babies won't develop normally, much less optimally. They will, however, learn how to push the buttons to make the screen react. Rats can do that!”

Additionally, it is wonderful that money is being refunded for purchases of, Baby Einstein videos. All of these products have been marketed to say they are good for early brain development, when these are not the optimal way for a child's brain to develop.

This is precisely why I created, Brain Insights. I have a deep desire to make REAL brain development common knowledge and easily understood. My passion is to to share all that really IS best for children. This is also exactly why I created, The Brain Development Series. These unique packets provide the information and ideas for busy adults to be able to provide what their child really needs. I knew the marketing made it confusing for parents to know what is best, so I wanted to help... and wanted to provide the information in an incredibly easy to use format.

Recently, when I was presenting at a conference in Las Vegas, a concerned mother shared her story about her son. The boy had just turned 3 and had started a new preschool. When picking him up at the end of the day the mother noticed his worksheet (I am stressing the word worksheet here!) was not up on the bulletin board with the others. This woman asked the teacher about it. The teacher then held up the paper and stated, "His is not up because it is incomplete." It had in red marker the word, Incomplete and a red :( sad face drawn on it! The paper was one where he was to trace and then freehand write the letter E several times. This is not appropriate learning or expectations for a child of this age. He should be playing and exploring and experimenting rather than sitting still and trying to write on a worksheet.

We need to do all we can to ensure that every child is getting all that is really beneficial for their growing brains. This happens through real interactions with real people and real objects.

At the same conference I met Kathy Gruhn, the enthusiastic creator of My Baby Compass. These wonderful resources help adults know what is appropriate for children at each age, birth through age 7.

We do not expect a newborn to crawl, a 2 month old to ride a bike, or a 6 month old to play the guitar. We do not expect those things because we know babies are not developed enough at those ages for those skills or activities. It is the same for academics and a young brain. We should not be pushing babies to read and 3 year olds to write. These are not the experiences they should be having to support the healthiest brain connections for later learning and life skills. Children need every adult in their life to have appropriate expectations. This can happen through understanding the basics of early brain development.

In the coming weeks, I am going to be sharing printables on various areas, that explain the ways in which science provides for us the knowledge to understand what really is best for learning and growing brains.

It is my hope that you will help to make this information known and understood. These can be posted and shared electronically, or they can be printed and posted on bulletin boards or used in newsletter or flyers. Feel free to use your imagination as to how these can best be used to finally make the understanding of REAL early brain development common knowledge!!

With heartfelt thanks,
Deborah

And most especially.... the children thank you!!

The Brain Development Series provides parents with the information and fun ideas children want ALL adults to know!

Get Organized Printable for Your Family

2012-09-10T12:20:00.000-05:00

It is wonderful to start the school year with healthy and happy brains....

Back To School and school success happens best with established routines and organization. So Dr.Lynne Kenney , The Family Coach, has created a downloadable printable to help you get organized at home, for a great school year. Dr. Lynne is fabulous and I so enjoy sharing all she does for the benefit of families. I thought you would enjoy becoming aware of and sharing her tips!

Brain Insight: The brain feels less stress and can focus attention best when there is a lack of chaos!

Along with this, I am excited to announce the winners of the Brain Insights Back to School Give Away!

I am thrilled to share a full set of The Brain Development Series with these dedicated programs that are making a positive difference for young children.

Cathy - Transitional K Teacher, Long Beach, CA

Sierra - Owner, Preschool Program, Bloomington, IN

Lindsay - Special Ed. Teacher 3-4, Clinton, UT

Denise - Preschool Teacher

Head Start Program - Laredo, TX (Spanish Brain Packets)

Thank you as always to everyone of you for your part in developing healthy brains!

*** For a 20% discount on Brain Development Activity Packets you can take advantage of the Promo Code: Back2School ***

ALSO

Back to School Discount on Brain Insights Workshops and Presentations!

If you are looking for an inspiring staff development presentation, workshop for parents, or lunch and learn session at your workplace, I am also offering a Back to School discount on these as well. Contact me by September 30th to get 50% off workshops that are booked in 2012.

www.braininsightsonline.com

Have a Very Enjoyable School Year!!