Contact: Maridith Geuder
Touching, talking and singing to newborns and toddlers may be some of the best ways to help young brains adequately develop.
That's a message the Mississippi State University Extension Service is helping deliver this month in a statewide project funded by the Phil Hardin Foundation of Meridian. April 19-25 is designated the Week of the Young Child by the Washington, D.C.-based National Association for the Education of Young Children.
A $92,000 foundation grant to Tupelo-based CREATE Foundation will support training sessions and outreach efforts targeting parents, caregivers, educators, and policy makers around the state, said MSU's Louise Davis, a child and family development specialist.
Davis and other extension service specialists, along with university faculty members in human sciences, social work and education, are part of the effort directed for CREATE by Cathy Grace of Tupelo's Family Resource Center.
"Scientists are only recently realizing how experiences during the first three years of life determine the actual wiring of the human brain," Davis said.
"Technology shows that changes occur in the brain when children are loved, nurtured and engaged by parents and caregivers," she added. "It's important for caregivers of very young children to know that some of the most effective things that stimulate brain development cost absolutely nothing."
Davis said she and others involved "hope to see this become a state issue" where "we hope to focus efforts on helping children become ready to learn."
The 18-month project began in March with a statewide meeting attended by representatives from state agencies, universities, nonprofits, and medical facilities. All will be invited to participate in the network, Davis said.
Beginning this month, a free video titled "First Years Last Forever" is being provided to parents of children under the age of 3. Produced by the Johnson & Johnson Co., the 30-minute program can be ordered through the participating Mississippi Early Childhood Education by calling 1-888-MECA.
Purchased by the extension service and MECA, copies of the tape also are available at county extension offices for parents to check out.
Other efforts planned over the next 18 months include, among others:
--"Train the trainers" workshops for approximately 100 university and community college instructors, as well as professionals in medicine, psychology, law enforcement, and social sciences.
--State seminars via distance-learning technology featuring national experts in brain research. The audience here includes educators, caregivers, parents, policy makers, and the general public.
--Additional training provided by the U.S. Office of Education Regional Laboratory for agency staff, caregivers and educators.
--A web site under development that will provide access to current activities and research related to brain development.
At Mississippi State, other participants in the project include Linda Southward, social work; Linda Patterson, extension service; and Gloria Correro and Esther Egley, College of Education.