BRAIN FACT: A Lack Of Routine Can Create Stress For The Brain

A lack of routine and boundaries can create stress for the brain. Children feel comfortable and secure when provided with expressed expectations, routines, and the predictability of limits.
       
Zero to Three provides resources with a focus on the benefits of routines.

BRAIN FACT: Some DVDs Can Actually Reduce A Toddler's Vocabulary

"Some DVDs can actually reduce a toddler’s vocabulary. It is true that the number and variety of words you use when talking to your baby boost both his vocabulary and his IQ. But the words have to come from you—a real, live human being."  ~From: Brain Rules for Babies, by John Medina

To spread help spread the word, tell everyone you know about a FREE opportunity to easily learn more about brain development!! Hope to connect with you there!!  Register for the Free Webinar HERE.  

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Adapts To The Environment And Experiences It Is Exposed To In Early Life

The brain adapts to the environment and the repeated experiences it is exposed to early in life.

This story written by Heidi Holman provides a perfect example of how quickly the brain adapts.

To spread help spread the word, tell everyone you know about a FREE opportunity to easily learn more about brain development!! Hope to connect with you there!!  Register for the Free Webinar HERE.   

BRAIN FACT: Too Much Stress Or Chaos Can Lead To A Child That Is Fearful Of Exploring

Too much stress, continuous chaos, or an inconsistent caregiver can lead to a child that is fearful of exploring, uncertain of their abilities, and is distrustful of others.

A member of the braininsights group on Linkedin shared this valuable blog this week.

To spread help spread the word, tell everyone you know about a FREE opportunity to easily learn more about brain development!! Hope to connect with you there!!  Register for the Free Webinar HERE.  

FREE WEBINAR: Brain Insights For Early Educators: Stimulating Brain Development in Your Program

I will be hosting a FREE Webinar entitled "Brain Insights For Early Educators: Stimulating Brain Development in Your Program" on Wednesday,  November 10.  Click HERE to register!

This workshop presents what children wish all adults knew about how they learn. As early childhood educators, we know 85% of a baby's brain development will happen after birth. We also know that what we do in the classroom  and what parents do at home can make a profound difference on healthy brain development. With the realizations you gain through this presentation, you will understand how easy and fun it can be to encourage brain development in your program throughout the day. You will also get ideas about how to partner with parents to nurture learning at home. Join me to begin brainstorming about how brain development can easily fit into your busy early learning program.

For more information or to register click HERE.

This Webinar is part of the Early Childhood Investigations Webinar Series sponsored by Robert-Leslie Publishing, the publisher of The InvestiGator Club Pre-Kindergarten System.

BRAIN FACT: Children Will Develop A Willingness To Approach New And Unfamiliar Tasks As a Result Of Secure Attachment

As a result of a secure attachment children will develop a willingness to approach new and unfamiliar tasks, and will develop a stronger ability to put up with the frustration of failure and have the patience to try again.

A recent study shows the positive results of early attachment in the teen years.

To spread help spread the word, tell everyone you know about a FREE opportunity to easily learn more about brain development!! Hope to connect with you there!!  Register for the Free Webinar HERE.

BRAIN FACT: As A Result of A Secure Attachment Children Will Develop A Willingness To Approach New Tasks

As a result of a secure attachment children will develop a willingness to approach new and unfamiliar tasks, and will develop a stronger ability to put up with the frustration of failure and have the patience to try again.

A recent study shows the positive results of early attachment in the teen years.

BRAIN FACT: A Child Learns To Self Regulate Emotions And Behaviors As Higher Areas Of The Brain Develop

As the higher areas of the brain develops a child learns to self regulate emotions and behaviors.
This only happens through consistent and positive experiences provided by caring and mature adults.

Click here for an article from Dr. Bruce Perry is valuable for sharing this understanding.

BRAIN FACT: Experiences Provided In Early Life Directly Impacts Emotional Development and Learning Skills

Children need every adult in their life to understand the importance of early experiences. Research demonstrates that the way a child is interacted with, and the experiences provided in their early life directly impacts emotional development, learning skills, and how an individual will function later in life. 

BRAIN FACT: Children Need To Have Hands On Activities For Optimal Brain Development

Children need to have hands on activities with real objects for optimal brain development and real learning.  The National Scientific Council on the Developing Child reports:

“Although a varied array of experiences clearly stimulates learning in the preschool years, promotional statements about the superior brain building impacts of expensive “educational” toys and videos for infants and toddlers have no scientific support.”

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Develops Skills As a Result Of Experiences During Childhood

The brain provides us with the opportunity to to feel emotions, to respond to and communicate with others, to monitor our environment for safety, to think, to play, to learn, and to remember. However, the ability for the brain to do all of this does not just  magically happen. A brain develops these skills as a result of experiences during childhood.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Of A Two Year Old Has More Synaptic Connections Than An Adult Brain

The brain of a two year old has more synaptic connections than an adult brain. With the purpose to adapt, a child's brain eliminates connections that are made from experiences that are not repeated frequently in their life. The brain retains connections from experiences that have been repeated often.

A valuable resource to help understand the developing brain is available from Zero to Three. Go to the baby brain map here. 

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Needs Time And Play Outdoors

The brain needs time and play outdoors. Physical activity and nature provides numerous benefits to the brain and contributes to overall health and optimal learning.

I hope you take the time to watch and share this valuable clip that discusses ALL the valuable aspects nature provides for the brain!


You can easily contribute to developing young brains.... Naturally Developing Young Brains Activity Packets will be available soon. The proceeds got toward nature pre-school efforts and getting urban children into nature settings. Introductory prices are available now!

BRAIN FACT: Child Abuse Can Affect Children Throughout Life

Increasing amounts of research is demonstrating that childhood abuse can affect children throughout life. Due to the effect experiences play on the developing brain, studies reveal that the effects of maltreatment early in life lead to being more vulnerable to mental illness and behavior problems.

Dr. Bruce Perry offers information on the impact of relationships on the developing brain and how to help maltreated children here.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Is Dependent On Having Visual Experiences

The brain is dependent on having visual experiences. A baby must have visual stimulation to create connections from the eyes to the visual areas of the brain.

This clip shows an example of the interest of an infant as a result of a visual experience.  

BRAIN FACT: Before Birth A Baby Learns Their Mother's Voice And Scent

Before birth a baby begins to learn the familiarity of the mother’s voice and her scent.  As a newborn the focus on learning from voices and smells intensifies.