Check out this article we found on Mindful.org which gives great tips on telling your child about the brain. This article also details how this information relates to emotional intelligence and fosters emotional regulation in children.

How to Teach Your Kids about the Brain

Brighter Futures Counseling is excited to announce that starting Fall, 2015–we will be offering Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy–otherwise known as DBT is an evidenced based therapy program specifically designed to help individuals dealing with anxiety and/or mood related concerns.  It also helps individuals manage personality disorders and self harming as well as suicidal thoughts.  The New York Times spot-lighted the developer of the program–who shares her own journey with mental health issues.  You can follow the link below to learn more:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/health/23lives.html?pagewanted=all&referrer&_r=1

Please call the office at 270-982-9292 to find out more about our DBT groups–available for Teens and Adults.

One of the biggest misconceptions about Child Development is that Children don’t start learning until the moment of birth.  FALSE!!  The brain starts developing in utero, so babies start learning while they are still tucked away in the womb.  Research confirms that babies start learning during those 9 vital months of pregnancy.

This means that caregivers should be talking to their baby during pregnancy…better yet, read to your baby!  Start reading to them during utero and NEVER stop.

Brighter Futures Counseling, PLLC is honored and excited to get to participate in the Born Learning Academies coming to the local school systems.  These fantastic opportunities for caregivers will provide a chance for Families to learn great ways to help their Birth to 5 year old gain Early Learning skills.  During the academies, families will learn tips for reading to their children from Birth on…

In the meantime, we found a great resource to share now…  “Growing Book by Book” is a great website that lists multiple tips for caregivers on how to read to you babies, toddlers, and children…including book ideas!  The information provided on the site is below, but please follow this link to visit the original page and learn more:  Growing Book by Book

From “Growing Book by Book:”  Tips for Reading with Young Children

Newborn to 6 Months

• You can start reading with your child the day you bring them home from the hospital (Remember–you can read TO them before this!).  Though your child doesn’t understand the words, the sound of your voice is music to their ears.
• Bold and simply illustrated books held about 10 inches away from your child work best.  Some examples include Black on White and White on Black by Tana Hoban, Spot books by Eric Hill and Chicka Chicka ABC by Bill Martin.

6 Months to 12 Months

• Babies love to put everything in your mouth.  Board books, cloth books and vinyl books work best for this age.   Here is a list of my son’s first year favorites board books at this age.
• Make reading part of your daily routine.  You might share a favorite book before nap or bedtime.

1 Year to 2 Years

• Start asking questions like, “Can you find the cat?”  Questioning encourages your child to interact with the text.
• You will also start to notice that your child has a strong preference for certain books.  Even though you are tired of reading the same book 100 times, your child is delighting in the comfort and familiarity that books bring.
• Children at this age really enjoy repetitive text and predictable books.  You might check out:  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle or Time for Bed by Mem Fox.

2 Years to 3 Years

• Your toddler is probably pretty active and will enjoy acting out stories.  We’re Going On a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, Bark, George by Jules Feiffer and The Wheels on the Bus by Paul O. Zelinksy fit the bill.
• They also love to hear stories about themselves.  So, don’t hesitate to substitute their name in place of character names in a story.  You can even make up stories about your family.
• Your child’s vocabulary is rapidly developing.  Each book you read broadens that vocabulary.
• Also, encourage your child to notice the fine details in illustrations.  I’m always amazed at what my son finds in the pictures that I miss!

3 Years to 4 Years

• Include books from a variety of cultures on your reading shelf.
• Your child’s taste and attention span are expanding.   If your child doesn’t have their own library card, now is a good time to get them one.  They will love the ownership of having their own card to check books out from your local library.
• While at the library, check into preschool story time.  Most libraries host several events each month.

4 Years to 5 Years

• Picture books can help with major events in your child’s life such as starting school, a new sibling in the house or the death of a pet.
• Kids at this age generally have a strong interest in nature.  Look for books on topics that interest your child.  You can check out  recommendations on my book list page.
• Your child may not be taking a nap anymore, but having a quiet book time in the afternoon may help to refresh everyone.
• Children may take an interest in reading the words themselves.  Don’t push your child though if they aren’t ready.  You want to keep reading time fun.