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Best Practices Recommended Resources on Brain Development and Learning
     
 
For workshops on applications of brain research click here.

For keynote speeches on applications of brain research click here.



Books and Videos on Brain Development and Brain Research




Inside The Brain
This book is based on a Pullitzer Prize winning series of columns in the Chicago Tribure. Ronald Kotulak, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, came to this topic while doing a story on violent deaths of teens in Chicago. He explores some of the secrets of the human brain by marshaling the work of the leading researchers in the field. Inside the Brain is a good read, immensely thought provoking and an eye opener if you don't understand how we actually shape children's brains. The book offers theories on how environment, diet, and a host of other factors affect neurological development. Among other things, the book offers groundbreaking evidence on how unhealthy surroundings foster serious imbalances in neurological chemicals and, in turn, unhealthy or violent behavior.




The Scientist in the Crib:
What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind

by Alison Gopnik, Andrew N. Meltzoff, Patricia K. Kuhl A trio of nationally respected childhood-development scientists wrote The Scientist in the Crib and it is not only accurate, thought provoking but a very good read! Standing on the relatively recent achievements of the young field of cognitive science (pointing out that not so long ago, babies were considered only slightly animate vegetables--"carrots that could cry"), the authors succinctly and articulately sum up what's known about children's minds and how they learn. The Scientist in the Crib explores how babies recognize and understand their fellow humans, interpret sensory input, absorb language, learn and devise theories, and take part in building their own brains and does it in a very interesting way.


Ten Things Every Child Needs (Video)
This is a wonderful inexpensive ($14.95)that I have used in brain development workshops.It is extremely well done with a wealth of information. You will see most of the researchers in brain development some where on this videotape, however, it has very down to earth advice and is understood and enjoyed by all educational levels. It makes a great baby present!



Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love
Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn Acredolo, child development psychologists and coauthors of Baby Signs, have provided a wonderful book on developmental and valid ways to enhance baby's brain development. Their goal is to take state-of-the-art research and translate it into pragmatic techniques for fostering child development in the areas of problem solving, talking, reading, and math preparation. The authors' philosophy is well articulated in their statement on baby education classes: "If your baby is not having fun, it's probably not worth doing.For parents and caregivers of infants from birth to 36 months of age, it reinforces connecting with your child and provides a number of fun ways to do it.



A Good Start in Life: Understanding Your Child's Brain and Behavior
Norbert Herschkowitz, Elinore Chapman Herschkowitz, Jerome Kagan
This is a practical book of basic information about child development from conception to age 6 in one concise book with the input of a neuroscientist and an educator. It is easy, interesting information about the stages of early childhood drawing upon up to date research. The authors also give straightforward suggestions that make parenting a little easier as your child grows. Endorsed by the Dana Foundation.




Brain Matters: Translating Research into Classroom Practice

Patricia WolfeResearch from the neurosciences has greatly improved our understanding of the learning process, and we have a much more solid foundation on which to base educational decisions Patricia Wolfe makes it clear that before we can effectively match teaching practice to brain functioning, we must first understand how the brain functions. Pat Wolfe doses an excellent job of tacking the basics from brain anatomy and physiology, to learning, to applications for lower primary through high school. The messages about why meaning is essential for attention, how emotion can enhance or impede learning, and how different types of rehearsal are necessary for different types of learning provide insight for all age levels.



The Secret Life of the Brain
Richard M. Restak, David Grubin This book accoompaned the PBS series on the development of the human brain. The author uses interviews, case studies, and clinical research to explore five stages of brain development: gestation/infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age focusing on sensitive periods of development, e.g., the acquisition of language. He also explores issues such as ADHD, drug and alcohol use, schizophrenia, stress, depression, and Alzheimer's. Plasticity is, according to Restak, the key to understanding the brain throughout its development. The brain can change and "retains the potential to establish new connections throughout our lives." This is a good basic book that covers the whole age range of development.

The Secret Life of the Brain (Video Series)
PBS seriesThe Secret Life of the Brain reveals the fascinating processes involved in brain development across a lifetime. The five-part series, which premiered nationally on PBS in winter 2002, informs viewers of exciting new information in the brain sciences, introduces the foremost researchers in the field, and utilizes dynamic visual imagery and compelling human stories to help a general audience understand otherwise difficult scientific concepts. 300 minutes.Each segment addresses a different age level with the last segment on aging.



From Neurons to Neighborhoods
from National Academy Press Authoritative yet accessible, Neurons to Neighborhoods presents evidence about early brain development and how children learn to speak, think, get along with others, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the surrounding context-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.Are the early years a time of vulnerability or resilience? To what extent are our future prospects constrained by how well we navigate them? How can we get all children off to a good start in life? When should we worry?






Internet Links on Brain Development and Brain Research





Dana Foundation Website: Dana.Org
Dana.org, is a gateway to accurate reliable brain information. "Brain Information" and "BrainWeb" link to validated sites on general information about the brain, more than 25 brain disorders,and current brain research. "Brainy Kids Online" offers children, parents and teachers a site with activities for younger children, puzzles, links to excellent educational resources, and lesson plan suggestions.Click here to go to the Dana.Org site

Free Brain NewslettersThe Brain in the News is a monthly publication for anyone interested in the latest discoveries about the brain. Each issue has articles and illustrations, reprinted by permission, from major newspapers and news magazines.It comes in your snail mail like a newspapaer flyer.

BrainWork is bi-monthly glossy newsletter for the general public featuring news and information about the latest findings in clinical and basic research in neuroscience. It includes an in-depth look at a specific brain-related disorder—from mental illness, information about the latest treatments and the research that will lead to better therapies in the future. BrainWork is the ultimate source for the general reader with an active interest in the brain. Click here to order these free publications.




Neuroscience for Kids Website
This website is designed for kids but a wonderful creative staff makes brain research and applications accessible for everyone. It is a great site for summaries of latest research. It is extremely helpful for sharing information with parents. You can find information in easy to understand terms about topics such as ADHD by using the "Search the Neuroscience for Kids Pages". There is a free email newsletter that summarizes the latest news and what is new on the site and see the page of the month featuring other brain sites.Click here to sign up for the email subscription.

The staff is led by Dr. Eric Chudler,a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He is a "basic researcher" performing experiments related to how the nervous system works. His current research interests include how Parkinson's disease affects the brain and how the nervous system reacts to nerve injury. Click here to go to the Neuroscience for Kids site.




Child Trauma Academy (Dr. Bruce Perry)

There are excellent resources on the effects of trauma on the brain at Child Trauma Academy. Click here to go to our resources on Children and Families in Crisis. You can also take an online course in general brain development at Child Trauma Academy.Click here for Dr. Perry's free online courses.






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