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.

BRAIN FACT: The Brain Grows 90% By Age 5

The brain physically grows to 90% of its adult size by age 5. The brain connections that create this growth are primarily based on the experiences a child has in these early years.

What Is Better Than Healthy, Happy, Smart, Creative, and Loved Children?

There are not many things most people can think of that are better than this. And, the exciting thing is we know what contributes to making much of this possible for our children.

Due to scientific research we have a wealth of knowledge about what positively impacts optimal brain development. Implementing this knowledge leads to emotionally and cognitively healthy children.  The sad thing is, this is (for some unknown reason) still not common knowledge.

It is Brain Awareness Week…! Through a week dedicated to creating awareness we can all contribute to developing an understanding of the impact we can all have!

A child’s brain continues to develop long after birth. The term “brain development” refers to more than how smart a child is. It is the actual growth that takes place in the brain. The experiences a child has in the first few years creates the connections between brain cells and develops the foundation for relationships and learning throughout life.

Nutrition, sleep, regular routines, physical activity, play, and repeated positive experiences with caring adults, strengthens the connections to create the growth of a brain. This makes the brain healthy, ready to get along with others, and eager for more learning.

However, constant exposure to stress, limited stimulation, poor nutrition and lack of a nurturing relationship all create a brain being “wired” in a way that leads to emotional and learning problems. Growing brains adapt to the environment they are exposed to.  A brain will adapt to a negative environment just as easily as it will adapt to a positive environment

Understanding this makes us aware that adults in a child’s life can have a long-lasting impact.
Following are a few points to focus on and share.

Warm Responsive Care
        Children’s primary need is to know they are loved. This is only learned through consistent nurturing interactions with primary caregivers.

Talk
        The brain makes connections for learning language only from what a child hears. A child needs to hear lots of language throughout the day. Language is learned through direct interaction, not from a television or video.

Safe, Healthy Environment
        A variety of nutritious foods, a lead free and safe environment for a child to explore contributes to a well developed brain. A brain requires little stress and routines to feel safe and relaxed. Sleep and rest are also necessary to a healthy brain.

Play
        Play is the way the brain learns about the world. Lots of interaction and exploration help the brain form connections that make later learning easier. Play outdoors additionally impacts brain development in healthy ways.

What a child’s brains need most is adults that understand development. Parents and medical professionals that are aware and well educated on brain development can provide all that a growing brain needs most. Early childhood educators also play a vital role in partnering with a parent to share in implementing this valuable knowledge. Through working together we can ensure all children receive the experiences that will most positively impact long lasting brain connections.

        ~ We ALL benefit when ALL children have well developed brains! ~

Throughout this important week we can all work together to FINALLY make this common knowledge!!!