The Things that Build the Brain

Off to a Good Start: Birth - 5 Years

Our P urposeTo tell you this story:

Simple things build a child’s brain.

There are things that we can do.

It’s never too late.

And that it can make all the difference in school and in life.

Family

Thinking Learning Memory

Genes Home Habits

Along with Family,What Else Buildsa Child’s Brain?

Off to a Good Start

Basic Ingredients to Build a Brain =

Lots of Free Play

Enriching Experiences

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High Quality Food

From birth to age 3 years the brain

triples in size.

Brain growth is all about connections.

Enriching experiences wire brain cells together.

Quality Nutrition.builds, fuels, and maintains the brain

- Vitamin B1, B6, B12- FRUITS- CARBOHYDRATES- Iodine- Lutein- FATS- Zinc- Vitamins C & D

- DAIRY- Vitamin E- Flavonoids- Iron- Omega-3 Fatty Acids- WHOLE GRAINS- PROTIENS- VEGETABLES

Playis a powerful teacher.

- Emotional expression- CREATIVITY- Adaptation- Role-playing- Hand skills- Muscle skills

- Language- Cooperation- IMAGINATION- Confidence- Coordination

Children who eat nutritious food and have lots of

opportunity to play andbe active are healthier,

they have fewer childhood il lnessess and long-term

risk for obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea.

Cerebrum

Hypothalamus

Pituitary Gland

Brain Stem

Cerebellum

Ventricles

What Develops First?

Emotional Outbursts FearAnxietyImpulsive Actions Stress

The Middle Brain

The middle brainis where we react to stress.

What Develops Slower?The Front Brain

Plans Ahead Thinks First Multi-tasks Logical Organized

Sight

Touch

Movement

Hearing

The front brainis where we learn to

control stress.

Intelligence and

Personality

Brainstem

Enriching Experiences & New Challenges

Develop the Front Brain

Some are Positive Experiences that strengthen the child

- Curiosity- Motivation- Grit- Exploration- Confidence- Perserverance

Some are Negative Experiences that weaken the child

- Fear- Unsocial- Irritibility- Impulsiveness- Anxiety- Poor self-control- Frustration

Can We Help to Protect a Child?

Caring & Sharing - The nurturing support of a positive adult-child interaction

at home, in child care, in preschool, in church, and in the community?

Adults who carehelp a child build social and emotional skills -

a source of strength as they grow.

Think of All the Nurturers

Communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Sharing

Coping

Team work

Self-control

Does it Work?

The Carolina ABC StudyPoor children given day care from 0-5 years of age.

40 years later… More years of school4x more likely to graduate college and hold a skilled

job more active, less obese fewer risk factors forheart disease or diabetes.

Family

Caring&

Sharing

The Community

Quality FoodA Chance to Play

An Enriched World

There are Simple Things We Can Do

Thinking Learning Memory

It’ s Never T oo LateGo Back to School

Tell the Story