Brain Development
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C 1053-09
Nurturing Positive Relationships
Over the first months of life, babies build relationships with the adults who care for them. These early attachment relationships matter. Babies who form warm, loving relationships feel secure exploring and learning. Babies who live in an unpredictable world tend to form insecure attachments. They learn that the world is unreliable and expect later relationships to be negative. Here’s what you need to know about attachment and what you can do to help your baby build secure attachment relationships.
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Play is one of the most essential activities babies do. Through play, babies and young children have the opportunity to experience new things and practice existing skills, which strengthens networks of
brain connections. This publication explains what babies learn while playing and what you can do to help build brain connections through play.|
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The developing brain thrives on repetition. When a baby experiences the same things over and over, the pathways of connections in her brain become stronger and more complex. One of the best ways to provide repetition for the developing brain is to create consistency in the child’s world. This publication explains the components of consistency and what you can do to create a positive and predictable environment.
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C 1053-12
Buffering the Brain From Toxic Stress
Children who live in unpredictable worlds, who do not have the opportunity to form a secure attachment with a caregiver, or who live in an unsafe physical environment live in a constant state of heightened stress. This severe, chronic stress can have profound and long-lasting negative effects on brain development. Buffering children from toxic stress and helping reduce that stress to more tolerable levels are important ways adults can support early brain development. This publication explains what stress is and gives ways to can help young children deal with stress in a healthy way.
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C 1037-07
A Healthy Breakfast Feeds the Brain
Read about the connection between a healthy breakfast and children’s learning, and work with your child to make a fruit smoothie for breakfast.
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C 1037-20
Physical Activity Teaches New Skills
Learn about the skills children learn through physical activity, and be active as a family by playing a giant board game with your child.
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