All of our work begins and ends with the family. Parents are a child's first teacher. They and extended family and loved ones make all the difference in the life of a young child. Beginning at birth, reading to a child, talking, cuddling, providing proper sleep and nutrition all come together to provide a child better opportunities for happiness and success. A child's day to day experiences affect the actual hard wiring of his or her brain. This affects intelligence, emotional stability and even personality. A child's ability to think, form relationships and live up to his or her full potential is directly related to good health, good nutrition and positive, meaningful interactions with loved ones. Did you know a newborn's brain grows 80% of adult size by the time he or she turns three years old? It's 90% formed by the age of five. By the age of two, a child's capacity to control his or her emotions and make social attachments is formed. By the age of three, children have developed most of their ability to acquire vocabulary. All of these reasons and more make a child's everyday experiences so important. Some Easy Tips: Families are so busy - it's hard to find extra time, but little changes add up. DRIVING: While you're driving in your car, turn off the radio or DVD player and have a conversation with your child. Describe what you see out the window. Sing songs. If they're old enough to talk about, ask open-ended questions about your child's day or feelings or what they see and be sure to listen. COOKING: While you're making dinner, talk to your child about what you're doing. If they're old enough, let them help measure or stir ingredients. Ask them to describe the food - is it green, is it orange? Is the can round or heavy? Infants and toddlers love the kitchen too - talk to them about food, interact with them or give them some safe kitchen materials to play with. READING: Read to your child every day! Read books as often as you can, but also read labels, signs, anything to help your child become familiar with letters and sounds. Label your home with simple words describing items, such as "desk," "lamp," "bed." If you would like to more tips or to learn about any of our workshops, please contact smurray@unitedwayswi.org. Parent Training Literacy Parties (PDF file) From BornLearning.org: Growth and Development Guide Parenting Tips and Guide to Early Learning From Meddybemps.com: Online activities to help children build learning skills Preschool Learning Activity 1 on Mouse Skills - Fire Engine Puzzle Preschool Learning Activity 2 on Reading and Cognitive Skills - Animal Riddles Story - But That Wasn't The Best Part Story Starters Seasonal/Monthly Activities and Ideas Seasonal Activities Recommended Sites on Early Childhood Development and Literacy First Steps of Southern Indiana