I Am A Brain Builder A Workshop for Parents Written by Sunindiya Bhalla Project Manager, Brain Building in Progress Initiative

Workshop Goals As a result of this workshop, participants will: Gain an understanding of young children’s brain development Understand the importance of back-and-forth interactions Realize that as caregivers, they are the ultimate Brain Builders Gain strategies and ideas to turn any moment into a Brain Building moment Understand the importance of enriching environments and the types of places that are and can be Brain Building Zones Learn more about the Brain Building in Progress initiative Look for Brain Building Zones in their community Find events in their community Engage in the #IAmABrainBuilder public awareness campaign on social media

The More We Know… Let’s start with a quiz! …The More We’ll Help Children Grow!

The Science Behind Brain Building 90 percent 700 connections 18 months 30 million words

A Child’s Brain From Parenting from the Inside Out by Dr. Dan Siegel and Mary Hartzell

What is Brain Building? You ask a question. A child answers. You keep the conversation and interaction going. That’s Brain Building. Doing learning activities together does a lot more than develop skills and strengths that prepare your child for kindergarten. Science shows that engaging back-and-forth interactions between a child and a caring adult actually build connections in the developing brain. Just as a strong foundation for a house supports all that is built on top of it, brain building forms the foundation for a child’s social and emotional well-being and school success.

Establishing Neural Connections

Practicing Through Play

Let’s Play! Are You Faster Than A Four-Year-Old?

Brain Building Happens at Home

6 Ingredients For A Learning-Ready Brain Language: Practice letters, shapes, and numbers in some sand or flour Math: Set the table – count things, learn words, and repeat the pattern Creativity: Make musical instruments out of things at home; decorate them and put them to a song

Gross motor (movement): Play/sing Head, Shoulders Knees & Toes Science: Practice animal poses and make animal sounds Social/Emotional: Practice making faces that show feelings 6 Ingredients For A Learning-Ready Brain

Brain Building Starts at Birth! Research has found that infants as young as six months can understand words, and infants as young as seven months are practicing words in their head It’s important to talk to babies, make eye contact, play simple games like peek-a-boo, and most importantly, read books together!

Reading Together Builds Brains EVIEW (by asking questions) XPAND (on what the child says) SK (what, where, when, who, why questions) ISCUSS (what you have read) HARE (life experiences that relate to the book)

Any moment can be a Brain Building moment! Whether you are at the grocery store counting fruits and finding colors… …or riding a train or bus

Brain Building can happen anywhere! You can always bring a book with you wherever you go… …make up a story together… …or talk about the things you see!

#IAmABrainBuilder Share your Brain Building moment! Tell us how you are Brain Building by posting a picture or describing your favorite activity using #IAmABrainBuilder Follow us to learn more about Brain Building in Progress and get other brain building ideas! We’re on Like us on Facebook

I Am A Brain Builder A Workshop for Parents Thank you!