WIN "HELP ME THRIVE WHILE I'M FIVE" ACTIVITY PACKET

Enter to win one of five brain development activity packets I'm giving away this week as part of the launch of the new "Help Me Thrive While I'm Five" Activity Packet. 

There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave me a comment below

2. Sign up to receive blog postings delivered to your inbox

3. Subscribe to the free braininsights newsletter

The packets are also specially priced this week.  Find out more information about the activity packets here or here. 

Five Year Old Activity Packet Now Available AND A Giveaway!

I am so excited to announce that the sixth packet in The Brain Development Series is Now Available!

Help Me Thrive While I’m Five provides 40 activity ideas to promote learning throughout everyday life. The activities are designed for providing the fun and stimulation the five year old brain needs even when parents are busy. The brain likes to have some challenge and needs ways to learn and interact with people and objects. Each activity in the packet also includes a brain insight on the back of the card. These insights give adults an understanding of the benefits gained through doing the activity.  Children love to have new and fun experiences.  This packet provides all of this in an easy to use format.

The packets are available at a special introductory price of $7.99!!  All other activity packets are also on sale.  To find out more information or to order visit the braininsights website.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Help Me Thrive While I'm Five, I will be giving away FIVE of these packets!  

There are three ways to enter:

1. Leave me a comment below, 

2. Sign up to receive blog postings delivered to your inbox

3. Subscribe to the free braininsights newsletter. 

Rules: Open to U.S. Residents. Giveaway ends 04/18/10 at 11:59pm. Winner will be notified via email. Winner is responsible for responding within 24  hours or a new winner will be picked. If you don’t respond, you will not be eligible. 

Daily Brain Development Activity Packet Giveaway! Enter Now

To celebrate Brain Awareness Week, each day I will be giving away one braininsights brain development activity packet of the winner’s choice.  At the end of the week, I will also give away the entire Brain Development Series to one lucky winner!

The beautiful and unique braininsights brain development activity packets each hold 40 activity ideas created for you and your child, with one packet for each year from birth through five. Each activity includes a scientific research based explanation of how your child's brain benefits from the interaction. The information is provided in everyday language and is written from your child's point of view.

There are six ways to enter the giveaway, you may enter all six times.  All entries will be included in the daily and end of the week giveaway.

1. Subscribe to Early Childhood Brain Insights via Email. You can do this by entering your email address on the right sidebar or here. You must confirm your subscription with the Feedburner email sent to your own inbox.

2.  Leave a comment at the end of the post with something you found interesting in an Early Childhood Brain Insights post and which packet you would prefer.

3. Blog about this giveaway with a link back to Early Childhood Brain Insights.  Leave the URL of your blog post in the comment below for this option and which packet you would prefer.

4. Subscribe to the free monthly braininsights newsletter here.

5. Become a fan of Brain Insights Activity Packets on Facebook. Leave your Facebook ID/Name in the comments section below and which packet you would prefer.

6. Follow @braininsights on Twitter and Tweet the following: 
Win Brain Development Activity Packets from @braininsights here: http://www.braininsights.blogspot.com. 
Enter your Twitter ID and which packet you would prefer in the comments section below if you choose this option.

Contest Details: Contest ends on 3/21/2010 at 11:59 pm CST. United States residents only. Valid method of contact is required. All entries without a way to contact the winner will be disqualified. Winning email notification must be responded to within 24 hours or that winner will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be selected. Winner will be selected with the random integer generator at random.org. Winner’s first name will be posted here at Early Childhood Brain Insights. All questions should be directed to deb@braininsightsonline.com.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Today is the birthday of the beloved children's author Dr. Seuss and NEA's Read Across America.  On Friday I told you about reading activities, events, and the importance of reading in brain development here.  For more information Parenting.com has a great article with ideas of how to introduce a baby to reading and great activities to do while reading.  Check it out here.

So don't forget to break out your favorite Dr. Seuss book today and everyday and read to the child in your life. 

EVERYONE Needs to Know The Difference Loving A Baby Makes!

Part 1

 “A baby is born with a need to be loved – and never outgrows it”                                                       ~Frank A. Clark

I just read a new research study and cannot wait to share it with EVERYONE!  It is thrilling to me every time we have additional scientific research demonstrating how important love and nurturing is to the brain….. and how important those early months after birth are!     

Those of you that know me or follow my work already know the intense passion I have for making early brain development common knowledge.  And it continues to baffle me why this is not yet information that every parent, grandparent, educator, medical professional, social worker, community leader, policy maker, business leader, and voter knows! Every adult needs to know the impact the experiences in the early years has on the developing brain.  Science has been demonstrating this to us for years.  Now economists are revealing how cost beneficial it is for us to know this—and to do something about it!

The primary focus of the awareness I want to create is the understanding of the dramatic and impactful difference loving a baby makes on the physical development of the brain.  This research clearly shows the powerful influence that results from positive early care giving experiences.

Good Parenting Triumphs Over Prenatal Stress

The new study represents the first, direct human evidence that fetuses exposed to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may have trouble paying attention or solving problems later on. But what may be more intriguing is the study’s second finding – that this negative link disappears almost entirely if the mother forges a secure connection with her baby.

Early interactions set up the basis for expectations, self perception, self regulation, and relationships throughout life.  Babies need loving interaction, attuned parents, and touch as much they need nutrition. In the braininsights® February newsletter I included a clip on Harry Harlow’s famous study demonstrating this need.

We can no longer let this information be ignored. This latest research ignites my desires to share all of this even more deeply (if that is possible!). My dream is to have the parent of every newborn learn how to easily provide the consistent care taking and loving interaction their baby NEEDS! 

If I could I would donate a Love Your Baby brain development packet to every parent of every newborn!  Since I cannot afford to do that at this time, below are a few interaction tips from the Love Your Baby packet with brain development information from the baby’s perspective:

LOVING ME CALMS ME
Realize that loving me does NOT spoil me. Show the love you feel for me through all of the interactions we have together.
Brain Insight
Taking care of my needs does not “spoil” me. Comforting me when I need you helps me learn to trust that you will take care of my needs. I will be calmer as my brain learns I can expect you to take care of me.

SHOWING YOU THE ATTENTION I NEED
Notice how important your attention is to me. Tune into how I let you know when I need comforting or just a fun connection with you.
Brain Insight
Attention and contact with you is what matters most in this stage of brain development. The first 18 months are the most important for the foundation of my emotional development.

WHAT DO I LIKE?
Notice what I like and respond to. Try to tune in to the level of activity I seem to need. If I seem active, do a more playful activity. When I want to be calm, read a story, hold me close, or sing a lullaby to me.
Brain Insight
My brain is not developed enough to adjust to different activity levels easily on my own. I really need you to match your behavior to my needs.

This is what babies want ALL adults to know. Do what you can to help create this awareness. … because we all benefit from all children with well developed brains!

Hopefully you see why I am so excited to share this research. It gives proof of the significant difference we can all make!  There is much more to say and share with you on this so make sure you sign up to receive Part II  -  Understanding Attachment Through the Eyes of a Baby.

Read Across America

"Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."
                                   ~ Emilie Buchwald

For the past 13 years the National Education Association (NEA) celebrates and honors Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2nd with Read Across America.  The goal of this day is to have every child in the U.S. reading in the company of a caring adult.

This is such a great goal.  Reading has so many benefits for a developing brain.   When a child is read to cells in the brain are triggered within seconds.  Some existing connections in the brain are strengthened while new connections are formed.  This helps create a more defined and complex wiring of the brain that will benefit a child for the rest of their life.  Reading to a child is so important that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that Pediatricians prescribe reading activities to parents during their well child visits. Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school and the National Commission on Reading found that reading aloud to a child is the single most important intervention for developing literacy skills.

Literacy skills development isn’t the only brain benefit that results from reading to a child.  Even reading to an infant is extremely valuable.  When reading a book, the child has the opportunity for visual stimulation, and hearing words.  A child needs to experience direct language.  Television and DVD’s do not provide the interactive language the brain needs.  The time spent cuddling while reading is also very important.  This closeness helps the brain make valuable connections contributing to healthy emotional development.  Young babies find the sound of the voice reassuring and calming.

Books also provide a way for children to gain new perspectives and learn about people, places and things outside of their immediate environment.  Reading with children also presents the possibility for children to open up about feelings or things that are bothering them in a comfortable way.

Unfortunately only 53% to 58% of children ages 3 to 5 are read to daily.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if 100% of children were read to daily?  “Read Across America” is a great effort toward this goal.  Starting this weekend there are reading events across the country. I invite you to share this information with everyone. Post it on your social networking sites and tell educators or people that have young children.

• Oh The Places You Will Go Reading- On Saturday February 27, 2010, Target is sponsoring a free reading of Oh The Places You Will Go, along with Dr. Seuss inspired games, activities and giveaways.  To find more information or to find a location near you visit click here.

• Cat-a-Van – NEA is sponsoring a van touring the country to bring special events to cities across the US.  For more information visit nea.org/readacross.

In addition to attending or sharing any of these events you can still participate in Read Across America on March 2 and then everyday at home!  Below are ideas for activities you can do while reading with your child:

            Brain Insights For Read Across America

            Reading Rockets Tips for Parents of Preschoolers

            Dr. Seuss Activities

If you know of other events or reading activities please share your comments below or email me. It will be wonderful to hear the ideas you have to share. So snuggle up with a favorite book or a fun new one and enjoy. I have a new one I cannot wait to get to myself. Happy Reading!

Brain Development and Reducing Obesity Through Routines!

Routines, sleep, nutrition, and limited (or no) television viewing are necessary for healthy brain development. Because of the positive impact on the brain, each of these essential needs are emphasized in braininsights® packets for every age 0 -5.

The developing brain needs:

• nutrition for energy and to function optimally. Feeding the brain well contributes to children who can attend longer and have calmer behavior.

• sleep to help keep the brain’s chemical systems in balance.

• interactive play rather than television viewing to develop valuable and strong connections between the 100 billion brain cells.

• routines to reduce the effects of stress. Chaos creates stress. It is comforting to the brain to have a schedule and know what to expect next.

The results of a recent study also demonstrate the positive impact these factors have on children’s weight. This study reveals that providing enough sleep, having family meals, or limiting television viewing can have a positive effect on preventing obesity.

Can you share this information with others? Let’s help everyone know how easy to raise children with healthy bodies and minds!

Family Meals, Adequate Sleep and Limited TV May Lower Childhood Obesity

ScienceDaily (Feb. 9, 2010) — A new national study suggests that preschool-aged children are likely to have a lower risk for obesity if they regularly engage in one or more of three specific household routines: eating dinner as a family, getting adequate sleep and limiting their weekday television viewing time.

In a large sample of the U.S. population, the study showed that 4-year-olds living in homes with all three routines had an almost 40 percent lower prevalence of obesity than did children living in homes that practiced none of these routines.

For healthy brain development ideas and further information go to: http://www.braininsightsonline.com

Helping Others Helps the Brain

Today we honor and celebrate a great man in American history, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  His vision of equality and serving others has enhanced our nation.  To properly honor and remember him, Congress created the National Day of Service.  On this day and throughout the year, you and your children can help others while helping your brain at the same time.

The brain benefits by activating the reward centers when we give to others. Research has demonstrated when giving, the brain releases dopamine which is responsible for the feelings of euphoria. Additionally, it has been shown that the hormone oxytocin was released in study participants. This increases levels of trust and cooperation.

Isn't it wonderful to realize that the pleasure areas of the brain respond to not only what is good for ourselves but also to what is good for other people?!

To help develop this, following are some activities to do with your children that will also helps others:

One For You 

Give  the child the opportunity to have an item and give an item to someone else. For example:

Say, “Here is a book for you. Can you give the other book to (name of another child)?”

Note: Toddlers do share, but the brain isn’t ready to completely understand sharing at very young ages.  At this age giving something to someone when they have the same thing will be the best way to practice.

Doing Nice Things Makes “Cents” 

Provide a “giving jar” and a supply of pennies. Every time someone in the family does something nice or thoughtful for someone else, a penny can be added to the jar. At the end of the year use the money to donate to a cause you want to support or help.

Write or Draw for Someone

Set time aside regularly (once a week or once a month) to have your child write a letter or draw a picture to send to someone.  This could be sent to a relative or friend, someone that is sick or hospitalized, a deployed military person, etc.

Celebration Give Away

At each holiday or birthday, give the child an extra gift to give away. Your child’s brain reward center will benefit most when involved in deciding who should receive the gift.

To find more opportunities to serve, visit www.allforgood.org

Comments From Your Child About Holiday Shopping!

I know holiday shopping with me can be frustrating and difficult at times. I really don’t want to be a problem when you take me along. I realize you have a lot to do and you want me to be good so you can get it all done, but, my brain doesn’t always allow me to be perfect. I do like when you take me with you because my brain is curious and I get to see new things. I also love being with you!

So here are some ideas I have so we can have a good time together!

My brain doesn’t like to be bored and it also doesn’t like to be over stimulated. I need interesting things to keep it entertained, but if I get too much stimulation I will need you to help me to relax. My brain is not good at this on my own yet.

               (3 -6 year olds)

•   Give me a coupon with a picture on it. Make it a fun “treasure hunt” to find this item as we go through the isles together.

• Have me help you find the items you need by giving me simple directions. For example: Ask me to get the red box or pick the smallest size can, or the item on the bottom shelf.
  
  

               (1 – 4 year olds)

•   While waiting in line, name an item for me to find and point to. Or point to a picture on magazine and have me name it.

                                   

               (3 – 5 year olds)

• As we turn down a new isle name a color. Have me point out items of that color as we  go through the row. Or to add variety, name a shape to look for.

My brain also likes physical activity and using all of the senses. Exploring is how my brain learns. So, I will like touching and trying out things I see.  If you guide me to or provide things that are safe to touch this will be best.  Much of this is all new to me, and do not realize what might happen if I touch, push or pull on something without your guidance.

                (0-3 year olds)

•  While we shop give items to try out. Let me feel different textures or hear the sounds items  make.  Since my brain learns through repetition I may want to do it again and again. Use descriptive words for the textures and sounds I am experiencing too. My brain likes to hear lots of language from you about objects in my world.

                 (3 – 6 year olds)

• Have me close my eyes and listen to all the sounds. Have me tell you all that I hear.
  
  

• Have me help you put items on the counter as you get ready to checkout. We could count together as we do this.

            

I really like it when you give me positive attention . When we are having fun together I will feel good.  My brain will then not react in negative ways to get you to pay attention to me. 

                 (2 – 6 year olds)

• Let me tell you about all that I see and am interested in as we shop. I get excited about all of the new things I am learning and want to share it with you!

                 (All ages)

• Sing holiday songs with me while we wait in line.
  
  

            

When I am  hungry or tired it is more likely you will have to deal with acting out behaviors. I really am not trying to be “bad’, my brain is just reacting to what it needs. My brain is not developed to the point of being able to control how I feel yet. I need you to understand and offer support.

• Bring water and healthy snacks along.

• Begin shopping after everyone has had enough sleep. Plan shopping before my bed time or after my naps.

With all of this in mind, let’s have a wonderful time together!  My favorite thing to do is spend fun and loving times with you!

For brain development as perfect gifts take advantage of the "brain buster " special at braininisights this week-end!  (Friday, November 27th - Sunday, November 29th)

http://www.braininsightsonline.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SESAME STREET--- Lessons on Learning!

Many of you would be surprised to hear me say there are many positives about Sesame Street.  Those of you that follow my blogs or hear me speak know how I do not support children watching television.  In fact, I frequently demonstrate in presentations how brain connections are made best through interaction and play versus watching TV. And I ALWAYS say … no television before the age of two.

However, I do congratulate Sesame Street for the examples the show gives us on how the brain learns .

•  The brain learns through having fun
•  The brain learns through positive role models
•  The brain learns through real objects
•  The brain learns from repetition  
•  The brain learns from predictability

Sesame Street does all of this and you can see each of these in the following example. You will most likely be able to sing along!

However, it is critical to early brain development that we do not have children just sitting and watching television. Research shows brain connections made through direct interaction as opposed to just observing are much stornger. The Neilson Company reports, “ American children aged 2-11 are watching more and more television than they have in years. New findings show kids aged 2-5 now spend more than 32 hours a week on average in front of a TV screen”.

So to optimize the type of learning that Sesame Street demonstrates is best, have children play and interact with real people and get outdoors. But, if a child is going to watch television it is critical to make that time fully interactive.  Following are ideas to turn television viewing in to an interactive experience:

•           While watching have the child respond and take an active part by singing along with the songs,  answering questions out loud, and so on.
•             Dance and move together along with music on a show.
•             Ask questions as you watch together. For example ask, “What would you do if that happened to you?”
•             Have the child imitate and act out actions on a program.
•            Together clap along with a song or while counting.
•             As you are watching a program have the child guess what might happen next.
•             After a program, have the child remember the sequence of events. Ask, what happened first, next and last in the story.

The most important thing to remember is the brain learns best through experiencing fun interactions with real people and objects!  So… “Come and play everything is a-okay…. ….  “