BRAIN FACT: Good Nutrition For The Body Is Good For The Brain

As a general rule good nutrition for the body is good for the brain. This is especially true with heart healthy foods.
Photo Credit: Zsuzsanna Kilian

BRAIN FACT: A Baby Is Born With The Ability To Make Every Sound Of Every Language In The World

When we are born we have the ability to make every sound of every language in the world. However, because our brain learns based on the environment and experiences we are exposed to, we lose that ability. The brain makes connections based on the language(s) heard frequently.

Special note:  Brain Development Packets in Spanish will be available soon:  Take advantage of the special pre-production sale! 

Click Here for More Information Or To Order 

Even greater discounts are available for quantities over 25. Contact me at deb@braininsightsonline.com

BRAIN FACT: Meals That Include Sugar Foods Deprive The Brain Of the Nutrients It Needs to Function Well

Meals that include sugary foods without adequate amounts of protein deprive the brain of the nutrients it needs to function well. This can lead to out of control behavior, and lack of attention.

BRAIN FACT: Vocabulary At Age 3 Predicts First Grade Reading Success

"Vocabulary at age 3 predicts first grade reading success. First grade vocabulary predicts eleventh grade reading level."
     -Andrew Biemiller, Vocabulary Development and Instruction: A Prerequisite for School Learning,     Handbook of Early Literacy Research (Volume 2), New York, NY: Guilford Press 2005.

BRAIN FACT: Young Children Need Adults To Help Them Deal With Strong Emotions

Young children need adults to help them deal with strong emotions.  Immature brains are not able to control impulses or handle strong feelings on their own.

BRAIN FACT: Babies Are The Model Of How We Learn

“Babies are the model of how we learn – not by passive reaction to the environment but by the active testing through observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion.”
~Brain Rules,  John Medina, 2008

BRAIN FACT: Infants Who Learn They Can Engage Their Parents and Objects Acquires The Knowledge Of Affecting The World Around Them

“The infant who has learned that he can engage his parent in play and make objects do what he wants them to do acquires a fundamental belief in his ability to affect the world around him.” 
~From Neurons to Neighborhoods, National Research Council, 2001

BRAIN FACT: Caring Interactions Reduces the Number of Stress Response Connections Created In The Brain

Frequent positive and caring interactions reduces the amount of connections that are created in the stress response areas of the brain.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Benefits From Physical Activity

It is not only the body that gains improvement as a result of exercise. There are numerous benefits to the brain through physical activity.  Click HERE to find out about the advantages research is demonstrating.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Learns When Using Real Things

The brain learns when using real things. Counting real objects helps the brain make connections for basic math skills. Just saying numbers in order does not have meaning.

BRAIN FACT: The Easiest Time To Learn A Second Lanugage Is During The Pre-School Years

The easiest time to learn a second language is during the pre-school years. This occurs from hearing the language directly. At young ages, the brain does not learn language from videos or CDs.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Likes To Be Active

The brain likes to be active and prefers not to be bored. It seeks to constantly find something interesting to think about or do. Young brains do not easily know how to handle either over-stimulation or under-stimulation.

View this recent study as it relates this fact to mood levels: Staying Busy May Help Improve Mood 

BRAIN FACT: Outdoor Play Greatly Benefits Brain Development

Research shows that outdoor play greatly benefits brain development. Children who play outside every day have been shown to have a greater ability to concentrate in addition to better motor coordination.

This article provides ideas to overcome common obstacles to providing outdoor time.

BRAIN FACT: Repeated Trial and Error With Real Objects Creates Strong Brain Connections

Repeated experiences of trial and error with real objects creates strong brain connections. This learning leads to learning more advanced skills with confidence.

Watch this clip of a perfect example!

BRAIN FACT: Omega-3 Fats Are Critical To The Brain

Diets containing omega-3 fats are critical to the brain. These “good fats” contribute to the structure and function of a healthy brain. These essential fats play a part in optimal learning and behavior.

This blog post provides a list of beneficial foods.

BRAIN FACT: Sorting and Creating Patterns Helps Young Brains Develop Math and Pre-Reading Skills

Sorting items by categories and creating patterns helps young brains develop basic math and pre-reading skills. Brain connections for these skills are made strong through doing these types of activities often with various items.

BRAIN FACT: Back and Forth Exchanges Create Brain Connections For Healthy Social/Emotional Development

It is critical to a developing brain to experience consistent communication and interaction. 

Experiences of predictable exchanges back forth create brain connections to form pathways for healthy social/emotional development and learning.

This wonderful clip and explanation clearly demonstrates how essential this is:

The Love Your Baby brain development packet makes it very easy for you to provide the essential interactions your baby needs!  Enjoy how good it will feel to provide this fun and love!

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BRAIN FACT: Missing Breakfast Can Make A Child Overly Active

Missing breakfast can make a child overly active. A healthy breakfast that includes protein provides the nutrition the brain needs to function well. A well fed brain helps a child learn better, feel better, and have more positive behavior.

Photo Credit: Peter Galbraith

BRAIN FACT: Laughter Starts To Appear When A Child Is 3 to 4 Months Old

Laughter starts to appear when a child is 3 to 4 months old. Play and laughter activates the care and thinking areas of the brain.

Enjoy watching this clip!

BRAIN FACT: Early Childhood Programs With Directed Academic Curriculum May Risk The Developmental Growth Necessary For Future Academic Success

“Early childhood programs that implement a directed academic curriculum often replace essential, hands-on learning activities with skill-based performance and rote-learning tasks. In doing so, they risk the developmental growth necessary for children’s future academic success.”
~Healy, J.M. 2004. Your Child’s Growing Mind. New York: Broadway Books.

Photo Credit: Anissa Thompson

BRAIN FACT: Environments That Are Chaotic, Disorderly Or Have High Levels Of Stress Have a Direct Influence On How Optimally A Child's Brain Develops

Environments that are chaotic, disorderly or have high levels of stress have a direct influence on how optimally a child’s emotional and thinking areas of the brain develops.