Astonishing Communication with a Baby Beginning at Birth

                  

An infant cries in an attempt to communicate a need. A parent or caregiver then attempts to figure out what the need is. This happens repeatedly throughout each day and can be frustrating and stressful for both the parent … and the baby. This is often one of the most difficult aspects of parenting in the early months and years of a baby’s life. I am thrilled to say, this no longer needs to be the scenario in the parent child relationship! 

It is extremely exciting to help the world know about a ground breaking book. The BlossomMethod™, to put it simply, will make a remarkable difference.  This inspiring guide provides parents with a very easy to use method that will lead to greater parent confidence and a happier baby. What could be better than this?

There are numerous other books of course that I get enthused about, but none compares to the level of excitement I have for sharing this book. It is truly a desire of mine that EVERY parent reads this book.  It provides knowledge every baby will want their parents to have. 

To give you an idea of why this book is so extraordinary, a selection from the introduction follows:

“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. Many of these go unnoticed in the early days of parenthood as everything focuses on providing the newborn with nourishment and comfort. After years of research involving parents and their children, I have mapped the behaviour of the babies I have worked with, including my own, and discovered a phenomenon that has never before been recognised.”

Vivien Sabel is the author of, The Blossom Method™. Vivien’s experiences growing up with a deaf mother provided her the ability to learn to read body language and gestures beyond those in which most of us are aware. Due to this gift, Vivien has created this easy guide to help every parent understand and develop this ability as well. The only sad thing is this book was not available sooner.  It would have filled my heart with joy to be able to establish this significant communication with my daughters as infants.  

Since it is something in which I feel very strongly about, I frequently write and do speaking engagements about the important and incredible difference early relationships have on early brain development. Due to this, I feel enormously honored to have contributed awareness of this impact as a small portion of this valuable book. 

With this information, parents can feel secure that TheBlossom Method™ not only helps create calmer and less stressful interactions with their baby, it also has a positive and long lasting impact on a child’s over all development.  The following excerpt explains:

“Research has shown that consistently responding to the needs of a baby can have an impact on her ability to form healthy relationships with others, to problem-solve, to have empathy for others, to tolerate the frustration of failure, to have more patience, to calm down from excitement. A baby whose needs are consistently met may also have a longer attention span, be able to better manage physical reactions to emotions, have greater skills in communicating emotions in healthy ways, feel less anxiety, exhibit fewer behavioural problems, have more confidence and a positive self-perception, be less fearful and have more willingness to explore and learn through challenges.”

With the passion I have to promote the healthy development of all children, I am so delighted to contribute to creating awareness of this book.  I am especially anxious to see the positive difference the Blossom Method™ will make in the world once parents use this to support the optimal development of young children from the start. 

I invite you to learn more about this wonderful method directly from Vivien in this brief, informational and heartwarming clip.

You will truly be amazed at all your baby is communicating. To begin simply order The Blossom Method here.  ENJOY!! 

I hope you will share awareness of this book with all the parents you know!!

Lifting the Burden off Children and Schools

Have you heard about this yet?........

Back Pack Free Friday 

WHO? Children, Schools and Families around the planet.

WHAT? Have children leave backpacks at home this day.

WHEN? Friday, May 4th. 2012

WHERE? Everywhere!

WHY? To literally lift the burden off children and schools.

Lifting the Burden off Children and Schools

Every day millions of children go to school tired, dehydrated, and many times also hungry. Back Pack Free Friday focuses public awareness on the very real burdens lack of appreciation for children’s foundational health places on children and schools.  Back Pack Free Friday is sponsored by an international consciousness movement called Parenting 2.0 (P20), the top ranked parenting group on LinkedIn with nearly 1700 members in more than 40 countries, P20 advocates a more proactive educational process for non-academic Life Skills.

P20 defines Life Skills as all the non-academic, foundational skills children learn to thrive and commune optimally with others. Life Skills include but are not limited to: personal care, safety, finance, organizational, interpersonal communication and social skills.

As stated in their group description on LinkedIn,  

“Parenting 2.0 supports parents, professionals, and other primary caregivers in their role as Life Skills Educators. Our goal is that, one day, children's LSA (Life Skills Average) will receive the same appreciation as children's GPA (Grade Point Average.)

P20 invites everyone to support Back Pack Free Friday and Stand Up for the welfare of children everywhere by doing the following on Friday May 4^th, 2012.

•  Leave back packs at home this day.
• Prioritize sleep, hydration, nutrition, and exercise.
• Find creative ways to underscore the importance of water, sleep, nutrition and exercise, for all aspects of children’s performance.
• Shine light upon professionals who can speak to the importance of prioritizing personal care.
• Share the concept of the Life Skills Report Card.

 Check out all of the additional info available at http://parenting2pt0.org/  

INVESTING IN CHILDREN

 

As you know the reason I created, braininsights, is because as I do brain presentations and communicate with others throughout the country, I have found that most adults do not yet know all that is best for developing brains. My goal is to change this, and make early brain development common knowledge. So in this issue of the January Issue of the Brain Insights Newsletter, I have asked the following question.. 

 

Why is this the case? Why is it that we have more knowledge than ever before about what is best for children's brain development ... and yet this IS NOT what is what most children are experiencing?

My concern is ... How can we get EVERYONE to understand the importance and the impact of the early years? ~ We know more than ever about all that children need most for optimal development, but too frequently children are experiencing just the opposite. Too many children are not getting the healthy foods they need, are pushed toward academics too early, are spending time with screens instead of learning in the way the brain learns best, are living in harsh or chaotic environments and/or over scheduled lives.
 The wonderful thing is that there are numerous and wonderful individuals, organizations and companies working and sharing to create the understanding that children need safe, predictable, nurturing relationships, healthy environments and nutrition. They also promote, how children need opportunities to play, move, experience nature and learn through exploring. I am very anxious for this to be common knowledge... but even more important... common practice!! 

  Read more about this perplexing question in the January Newsletter. 
You will also find a variety of articles and sources of information contributing to finally make this happen. 

Let's invest in our young children and have this occur in 2012!

Enjoy all of the great articles and resource links!! 

Naptime Is Great!

Naptime is much more than providing rest for a child ... and a break for parents! Children's developing brains need adequate amounts of sleep for healthy brain development.

We all know what it is like to deal with an over tired child. The reason for the behaviors we experience is due to a child not being able to handle the results of inadequate amounts of sleep. First of all the child still has an immature brain. It hasn't developed enough to provide the ability to deal with feelings of brain systems being out of balance. This is even difficult for adults. Getting enough sleep helps keep brain systems in balance. When children have had enough sleep it enhances cognitive functioning and moods.

New research lead by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that, "toddlers between 2 and a half and 3 years old who miss only a single daily nap show more anxiety, less joy and interest and a poorer understanding of how to solve problems." 

Assistant Professor Monique LeBourgeois of CU Boulder led the study. She states, “This study shows insufficient sleep in the form of missing a nap taxes the way toddlers express different feelings, and, over time, may shape their developing emotional brains and put them at risk for lifelong, mood-related problems.”


Additionally LeBourgeois shares, “Just like good nutrition, adequate sleep is a basic need that gives children the best chance of getting what is most important from the people and things they experience each day,”

Read more about the research from the University of Colorado Boulder press release shared on this site.

Recommended amounts of sleep and tips on promoting sleep are shared in SLEEP ENHANCES COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AND INFLUENCES MOODS.

Sleep well! 

A Nature Preschool Enhances Early Childhood Brain Development

As I continuously promote, it is critical that children have the opportunity to learn, play and explore outdoors. As adults we need to do all we can to ensure that children have opportunities to develop their brains in healthy, natural and safe environments.

There are numerous benefits to brains of all ages as a result of spending time in nature as I have shared in Your Brain Needs Nature and this fun one that includes a video called, Nature Deficit Disorder by KQED QUEST. It is especially important and beneficial for young developing brains to experience and learn outdoors.

For this reason I am thrilled to share the following article from Audubon magazine. It is a great pleasure  to work with the extremely talented and dedicated people and spend time at the Schlitz Nature Audubon Nature Center. It has been a particularly great honor to collaborate on a project to create the Naturally Developing Young Brains Packet with Lorna Hilyard and Pattie Bailie, mentioned in this article.

I am certain you will enjoy reading the experience expressed by one Dad after his son spent only two weeks in the nature preschool. The center is remarkable. The best part is, they serve as a model and help other programs implement nature into programing. In fact 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the nature brain packets goes directly toward increasing nature preschool experiences for more children.

A Nature Preschool Enhances Early Childhood Brain Development 

An exciting nature-based curriculum for preschoolers developed at the Schlitz Center in Wisconsin is spreading to classrooms across the country—and even to Sesame Street. 

By Susan Cosier  Published: January-February 2012 

"Bailie, a 20-year veteran of early childhood and environmental education, says, “There’s such a connection between spending time in the natural world and the developing brain.”

Recent research bears her out, though it’s an understudied field. Noticing differences between objects, like seeds and burrs, helps wire the brain, nurturing initial math and pre-reading skills that develop from the ages of one through four. “They learn observation skills after just a few months,” says Bailie. “Parents will tell me, ‘I can’t believe what my child sees now.’ "Studies also show that just 20 minutes spent outdoors improves concentration in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder as much as, if not more than, medication. That’s in addition to the physical benefits of exercise and exposure to vitamin D (which helps build strong bones)."    Read More


It would be great to hear your experiences with children as a result of spending time outdoors. Please share your wonderful stories with all of us!

For more information about or to purchase, Naturally Developing Young Brains go to Brain Insights

 

LOVE IS A PRIMARY NEED

Did You Know...?

        

...... feel good chemicals are released in the brain through loving interactions.

....... families and cultures that express warm physical affection have fewer issues with anger and aggression.

..... Researchers who examine the life histories of children who have succeeded despite many challenges, have consistently found that these children have had at least one stable, supportive relationship with an adult early in life.

It is valuable to realize how much the brain has to do with relationships and the love we experience in our lives. Love is one of our primary needs throughout our lives. 

Warm, responsive care-giving not only meets a child's basic day-to-day needs, but is also about responding to the emotional needs of children. Predictable and loving responsiveness is not only comforting, it plays a vital role in optimal mental health. The way that parents, families and other caregivers consistently relate and respond to young children, directly create influences learning and relationships later in life. 

This all begins in infancy but does not end there. This is why I love to share the writing of Mark Brady, Ph.D. on what he calls, "Big Brain Question". Below are some pieces from his contributions on this topic.

The healthy brain is an anticipation-prediction machine. When we operate in environments where there is little predictability and we have little idea what to anticipate from one moment to the next, chronic stress results.

There’s ONE question that all brains want answered, and they want it answered, “Yes.” Parent’s brains, children’s brains, all brains. And they don’t want a lukewarm “Yes,” or a “Maybe Yes” or a “Getting-to-Yes Yes.” They want a substantial, resounding, unequivocal, “YES!” Yes. When the answer is something other than “Yes.” if the answer is “Maybe,” or “I’m not sure,” a confusion and uncertainty begins to take shape in our brains.

The Question our brains ask is …… Are you there for me?

Do I matter enough that you’ll put me first when I need you to? Can I count on you to attend to me in the ways I need you to? Do I truly and deeply matter to you?

These questions are being asked – non-verbally through behavior often, and when they get answered “Yes,” we can relax and begin to feel safe in our relationships. The self-preservation structures of the brain continually monitor our environment and the people in it for safety. Our survival depends upon it. We generally love the people we feel the safest being around, and the emotional responsiveness often identified as love arises out of this safe “felt sense.” 

My dream is for all children to grow with this

loving safe and secure experience!

The impact loving interactions can make on a child’s growing brain, is one of the primary reason I developed The Brain Development Series, You can purchase brain packets in English or Spanish.

Children and the Brain: Think NUTRITION!

What is good for the body... is good for the brain!

Often when we hear the term "healthy" we generally think in terms of our body. However, realizing the positive impact healthy habits have on our brains and the dramatic effect they have on children can make an remarkable difference.

When I am presenting on the effects nutrition has on a child's brain, learning and behavior, I commonly find that people are amazed with this knowledge. This is the reason for my post today. I am sharing this wonderful article written by Lauren Zimet which was previously published in Common Ground Magazine, Nov 2011.

I have had the pleasure of co-presenting with Lauren. She is a dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate professional. 

Enjoy the valuable tips she provides for the benefit of healthier brains for everyone!

Nourishing Tips to Nurture New Neurons

BY LAUREN ZIMET

The brain. We all have one. Yet sometimes it gets neglected. Our brain needs certain things to stay healthy, and when it doesn’t get what it needs, it doesn’t work its best. In fact, sometimes it gets the opposite of what it needs—stuff it doesn’t know what to do with, such as artificial dyes, preservatives, GMOs, the list goes on. When this happens, both our brain and body can have a sensitive reaction that can look different from one person to the next, but that can result in a brain not performing to its highest standard.

We are born with 100 billion brain cells, and the brain continues to develop after a baby is born. New connections between neurons—the cells in the brain—form quickly from birth to 3 years of age and older, and continue to form

throughout our lives, based on our experiences.This means that we need to

nourish our brain. We need to give it both the experiences and the nutrients it needs to develop.

It helps children to know that with each healthy food they eat, and with each new experience they have, they are making a new connection in their brain.

This is powerful stuff . Imagine a child, face filled with pride, after making a new neural connection by simply taking a nibble of kale.

The following seven tips offer

simple ways you can guide your

children in making mindful, brain-healthy

choices as they play, learn, work, and grow.

1. Eat a rainbow. Eat a colorful array of organic

fruits and vegetables every day. Be sure

to wash the produce to loosen and rinse away

any dirt and toxins. Kids can do the washing—

they benefit from being part of a team, by having

their own chores within the family.

2. Don’t eat fake stuff. The body really likes

food. Real food, such as whole grains, protein,

lots of colorful vegetables and fruit, and

healthy fats. Limit or eliminate artificial dyes,

colors, and flavors; processed foods; fast foods;

junk foods; hydrogenated fats; sodas; and refined sugars.

3. Keep your brain lubed. Your brain needs

omega-3s, also known as essential fatty acids

(EFAs), for proper growth, particularly                                      

for neural development

and maturation of sensory systems.

EFAs speed neural signals

along, making for smoother,

easier, more efficient communication

across synapses. EFAs are

necessary for proper immune

function, cognitive development,

and for skin function and

maintenance. A deficit in EFAs

has been linked to ADHD, dyslexia,

and other behavioral and

psychological disorders. Your

body can’t make EFAs, so you

need to consume them. They are

found in nuts, seeds, olives, seaweed,

and fish. It’s always best to

eat foods that contain vitamins, minerals, and

other essential nutrients, but if you are unsure

that your child is getting a well-balanced diet,

a purified, molecularly distilled fish oil supplement

is a great EFA source. My trusted brand

of choice is Nordic Naturals.

4. Stay awash in oxygen and water. Drink

H2O to hydrate—check with your health care                    

practitioner for how much, but a quick rule is

to divide your body weight by two to get the

approximate number of ounces to drink per

day. Also, take slow, deep breaths to reset and

calm the sensory and neurological system.

Deep breathing helps children self-regulate

and improves immunity, nervous system functioning,

and emotional regulation. A recent

study published in the International Journal of

Nursing Studies reports that deep breathing is

effective for reducing anxiety in children with

asthma.

5. Learn to move and to chill. The brain

loves exercise, and exercise boosts brain power.             

But you also need to teach your child how

to relax—for example, by getting out into nature,

reading an entertaining book, or playing

a board game. Long-term stress can be toxic,

and a stressed brain doesn’t learn the same way

as an unstressed brain. Emotional stress has an

impact on a child’s ability to learn. Sustained

stress can damage a developing brain’s architecture,

which can lead to problems in learning,

behavior, and physical and mental health.

6. Rewire your thinking. Create “Band-Aid

thoughts” as a tool to acknowledge and work

through bad, sad, mad, frustrated, and negative thoughts.

Demonstrating positive self-talk in front of your children—

for example, reflecting on how you expertly handled a 

difficult or challenging situation—lays a blueprint for how

they may handle their own problems. Negative

thoughts or mistakes can be opportunities to

learn and grow from.

7. Name that feeling. Teaching your child

to label emotions and recognize feelings helps

connect the nonverbal and verbal pathways in

the brain. Strengthening these pathways can

improve a child’s ability to take on another’s

perspective. This is especially useful for children

with learning challenges, who need more

support developing flexible thinking.

Lauren’s Favorite Resources

NordicNaturals.com

ChickinFeed.com

KellyDorfman.com

JuliaTurnerNutrition.com

ImpactADHD.com

BrainInsightsonline.com

BucketFilling101.com

TodayIateArainbow.com

BrainRules.net

Lauren Zimet, MS, CCC/SLP, is the founder of

Healthy Foundations, an education program

that facilitates brain health, nutrition education,

and social thinking for children of all ages

and abilities. http://earlyinsights.com/ http://www.childhoodbrainhealth.com/