John Whiteman accepts award on behalf of the Whiteman Foundation

John Whiteman, representing the Whiteman Foundation received an honorary award today during the 7th Annual Science of Early Learning Award program. The Whiteman Foundation along with the Steve Nash Foundation, the Ibis Foundation and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund were honored for their collective efforts to help with Infant Brain Development.

Did you know….

• The brain is the least developed organ at birth?
• 90% of the brain’s growth occurs from birth to five years old?
• A baby’s brain doubles in weight from birth to age three years?
• A baby is a “citizen of the world” from birth to age six months and can very easily learn any one or a multiple of the 6,000 languages in the world?
• A baby at age 7 months starts on a linguistic journey that will makes it increasingly bound to the language it frequently hears?
• Children who don’t play much or are rarely touched developed brains that are 20% to 30% smaller than normal?
• At birth the human brain has about 100 billion nerve cells (called neurons), most of them unconnected.
• As the infant sees, hears, smells, feels, the neurons from trillions of connections called synapses. A neuron may connect to as many as 15,000 other neurons, forming an intricate network of neural pathways.
• This complex network is the brain’s “wiring”. The patters in which these connections are formed lay the groundwork for future learning.

To build language skills….

• Start talking and singing with your child while it is in the womb.
• Your baby hears you it just can’t respond yet so keep talking and singing.
• Point out things in the house, in the neighborhood and while driving. Also identify body parts, talk about sounds being heard, etc.
• Read to your child everyday.
• Have books everywhere – bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, etc.
• Visit libraries and bookstores.
• Be a role model by showing your love of reading.

To increase muscle coordination….

• Give your child safe household items that can be put together or taken apart, like measuring cups
• As your children get older, let them assist with simple tasks like setting the table, picking up their own room, and sorting laundry.
• Provide basic materials like paper, crayons, tape, and safe scissors for your children to create their own art projects. Then encourage them, never asking “what is that?” but “tell me about your drawing”.

For healthy emotional and social growth….

• Hold, rock, cuddle, hug, and praise your child regularly.
• Play simple games like peek-a-boo for infants or “tag” for older children.
• Ask their opinion or their choice.
• Limit TV time, but do watch appropriate shows with your child and use it to ask questions, clarify ideas, and make comments.

If you have any comments or questions please contact us. We will do our best to provide answers or to direct you to the appropriate source or professional.

I hope this helps …

John Whiteman

Source: books, lectures, and or personal review by:
Dr Jill Stamm; New Directions and ASU,
Dr Patricia Kuhl; University of Washington