On Monday, September 26, 2011, Center Director Jack P. Shonkoff, M.D., presented at NBC News' Education Nation Summit in New York City. His talk, "Stimulating Minds and Protecting Brains," was part of a session featuring presentations on the science of early brain development and how that affects learning, behavior, and health for a lifetime. You can view the entire presentation on video at the following link.
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/news/events/recent_events/education_nation/
29.9.11
Education is for life
A report from the Washington-based Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching found that, among other things, educated people tend to be more open-minded, more rational and less authoritarian.
The report also confirmed that school attendance decreases prejudice and enhances knowledge of world affairs.
Another study found that the educated even had more hobbies, more leisure activities and spent more time with their children, which, in turn, resulted in improved quality of life for succeeding generations.
Education is for life and not for a mere living.
http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/opinion/let-s-invest-in-the-early-years-1.1146673
The report also confirmed that school attendance decreases prejudice and enhances knowledge of world affairs.
Another study found that the educated even had more hobbies, more leisure activities and spent more time with their children, which, in turn, resulted in improved quality of life for succeeding generations.
Education is for life and not for a mere living.
http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/opinion/let-s-invest-in-the-early-years-1.1146673
28.9.11
The Reads and the Read-Nots
22 Aug 2011
New National Literacy Trust research* of 18,141 children reveals a polarised nation of young readers with 1 in 6 reporting that they don’t read a single book in a month, while 1 in 10 say they read more than 10 books in a month.
This divide between the “reads” and the “read-nots” is concerning because the research shows reading frequency has a direct link to attainment, as 8 in 10 children who read over 10 books a month are above average readers compared to just 3 in 10 of those who rarely read.
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/news/3834_the_reads_and_the_read-nots
New National Literacy Trust research* of 18,141 children reveals a polarised nation of young readers with 1 in 6 reporting that they don’t read a single book in a month, while 1 in 10 say they read more than 10 books in a month.
This divide between the “reads” and the “read-nots” is concerning because the research shows reading frequency has a direct link to attainment, as 8 in 10 children who read over 10 books a month are above average readers compared to just 3 in 10 of those who rarely read.
http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/news/3834_the_reads_and_the_read-nots
21.9.11
UBC receives $1.2 million to monitor child development across Canada
The University of British Columbia today announced a $1.2 million gift from The Lawson Foundation to develop a system to monitor differences in child development across Canada.
The gift will support a pan-Canadian network of researchers and practitioners, led by UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), as they identify inequities in child development across the country. The project will map the developmental trajectories of Canadian children by monitoring them as they develop through their early years and into their later school years. This research aims to improve child well-being by informing the creation of policies and programs to reduce the imbalances that exist across the country.
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/09/19/ubc-receives-1-2-million-to-monitor-child-development-across-canada/
The gift will support a pan-Canadian network of researchers and practitioners, led by UBC’s Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP), as they identify inequities in child development across the country. The project will map the developmental trajectories of Canadian children by monitoring them as they develop through their early years and into their later school years. This research aims to improve child well-being by informing the creation of policies and programs to reduce the imbalances that exist across the country.
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/2011/09/19/ubc-receives-1-2-million-to-monitor-child-development-across-canada/
The Unappreciated Benefits of Dyslexia
While dyslexic children may struggle in the early grades, they often grow into gifted story tellers, inventors and entrepreneurs. The Eides’ new book The Dyslexic Advantage, helps dyslexics and their families recognize and nurture the benefits of a dyslexic brain. The authors recently discussed some of these benefits with Wired.
These individuals excel in fields where telling and understanding stories are important, like sales, counseling, trial law or even teaching. In addition, a large number of professional writers are dyslexic. For example, Philip Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, recently wrote a wonderful piece for The New York Times about his new memoir, My Dyslexia. He shows the kind of profoundly clear and vivid memory of personal experiences even from very early in his life that we commonly see in dyslexic individuals.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/09/dyslexic-advantage/
These individuals excel in fields where telling and understanding stories are important, like sales, counseling, trial law or even teaching. In addition, a large number of professional writers are dyslexic. For example, Philip Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize winning poet, recently wrote a wonderful piece for The New York Times about his new memoir, My Dyslexia. He shows the kind of profoundly clear and vivid memory of personal experiences even from very early in his life that we commonly see in dyslexic individuals.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/09/dyslexic-advantage/
Invest in the early years, it benefits us all
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
By Tom Watkins
It makes a lifetime of difference, brain researchers vouch for it, educators swear by it, Nobel Prize winning economists say it is the best investment we can make as a state and nation. Parents instinctively know it matters.
What is “it?” High-quality early childhood education.
http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2011/09/20/opinion/doc4e78a9eba5a19015745003.txt?viewmode=fullstory
By Tom Watkins
It makes a lifetime of difference, brain researchers vouch for it, educators swear by it, Nobel Prize winning economists say it is the best investment we can make as a state and nation. Parents instinctively know it matters.
What is “it?” High-quality early childhood education.
http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2011/09/20/opinion/doc4e78a9eba5a19015745003.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Foreign Languages Open Up New Worlds of Learning
Tips for filling in the pieces where our schools fall short.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela
For children, learning a foreign language expands their horizons, gives them a leg up later on in life, and improves their overall linguistic abilities, even in their own language. I love our schools but, unfortunately, they are falling short when it comes to foreign language instruction.
Although studies have shown that when it comes to foreign language acquisition, the earlier the better, many of our local public schools start language instruction in middle school or even high school. And foreign languages are often the first to go in budget cuts.
http://mountvernon.patch.com/articles/foreign-languages-open-up-new-worlds-of-learning
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela
For children, learning a foreign language expands their horizons, gives them a leg up later on in life, and improves their overall linguistic abilities, even in their own language. I love our schools but, unfortunately, they are falling short when it comes to foreign language instruction.
Although studies have shown that when it comes to foreign language acquisition, the earlier the better, many of our local public schools start language instruction in middle school or even high school. And foreign languages are often the first to go in budget cuts.
http://mountvernon.patch.com/articles/foreign-languages-open-up-new-worlds-of-learning
13.9.11
Play helps with cognitive, social-emotional and physical development.
According to Pediatrics, 2010, "Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play the children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fear, sometimes in conjunction with other children."
Children that are allowed play time have shown that they are less fidgety. Brain activity is increased. Children learn how to resolve conflicts, gain skills and are able to socially interact with others.
According to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 31 (www.unicef.org/crc) recognizes "The right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."
http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20110912/FON0602/109120344/Letter-Give-kids-back-right-they-deserve
Children that are allowed play time have shown that they are less fidgety. Brain activity is increased. Children learn how to resolve conflicts, gain skills and are able to socially interact with others.
According to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 31 (www.unicef.org/crc) recognizes "The right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."
http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20110912/FON0602/109120344/Letter-Give-kids-back-right-they-deserve
Learn a language in only 10 days
Trying to learn too many words at first can actually slow the language retention process. However, once this “core vocabulary” is mastered and used consistently, it provides a framework for accelerated language learning. The Pimsleur Approach aims each lesson at teaching you to use the core vocabulary of the language, so you can speak the most in the least amount of time. It's not how many words you know, but rather, which words you can use.
http://tehrantimes.com/index.php/science/2471-how-you-can-learn-a-language-in-only-10-days
http://tehrantimes.com/index.php/science/2471-how-you-can-learn-a-language-in-only-10-days
11.9.11
Brain development in the first three year
In response to heightened commercial pressures for screen time for children the Office of the Children’s Commissioner asked Brainwave for research on the effect of television and other digital media on babies and young children. The recent release and marketing of an iphone application for babies perpetuates this pressure on parents to do the right thing for their children. However, the research evidence points strongly to the negative effect of such media on children under the age of two years.
http://www.brainwave.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/brainwave_newsletter_winter_2011.pdf
http://www.brainwave.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/brainwave_newsletter_winter_2011.pdf
5.9.11
Sushi seaweed linked to surge in thyroid illness
缺碘會引起甲狀腺問題，原來吸收碘太多，會引起甲狀腺亢奮，心跳加速，容易疲倦，體重急降等病症，對孕婦尤其不利。碘每日建議的吸量為150微克(百萬份之一克)，一件日本壽司所有的海藻，已有92微克的碘。建議不要多吃。
SUSHI lovers beware - eating too much of the popular Japanese dish can cause serious health problems.
Dietitians Association of Australia's Lisa Renn said sushi was a healthy meal but only if restricted to two or three rolls twice a week because of the iodine levels in the seaweed wrap.
Last month, a type of dried seaweed sold in Asian food supermarkets was recalled after it was found to have high levels of iodine, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
''When we talk about a healthy diet, variety is the key so I would not recommend having sushi every day,'' Ms Renn said.
According to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, one sushi roll contains 92 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) of iodine. The recommended daily intake of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms (20,000th of a teaspoon).
The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the lower part of the neck, needs iodine to produce essential hormones that regulate the metabolism. But excessive amounts of iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid causing symptoms including palpitations, fatigue and weight loss) while low levels can cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain and confusion).
Thyroid Australia estimates about 850,000 Australians suffer from thyroid dysfunction, with more than 40,000 new cases developing each year.
The Federal Department of Health and Ageing, alarmed by the increasing number of people with thyroid conditions linked to seaweed, issued a warning to doctors, endocrinologists and state and territory chief health officers last year.
Victoria's Department of Human Services, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Food Standards Australia New Zealand told The Sunday Age they agreed with Ms Renn that eating too much sushi could be a health risk.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/sushi-seaweed-linked-to-surge-in-thyroid-illness-20110730-1i5mm.html#ixzz1X5ieZ2ck
SUSHI lovers beware - eating too much of the popular Japanese dish can cause serious health problems.
Dietitians Association of Australia's Lisa Renn said sushi was a healthy meal but only if restricted to two or three rolls twice a week because of the iodine levels in the seaweed wrap.
Last month, a type of dried seaweed sold in Asian food supermarkets was recalled after it was found to have high levels of iodine, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
''When we talk about a healthy diet, variety is the key so I would not recommend having sushi every day,'' Ms Renn said.
According to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, one sushi roll contains 92 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) of iodine. The recommended daily intake of iodine for adults is 150 micrograms (20,000th of a teaspoon).
The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in the lower part of the neck, needs iodine to produce essential hormones that regulate the metabolism. But excessive amounts of iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid causing symptoms including palpitations, fatigue and weight loss) while low levels can cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain and confusion).
Thyroid Australia estimates about 850,000 Australians suffer from thyroid dysfunction, with more than 40,000 new cases developing each year.
The Federal Department of Health and Ageing, alarmed by the increasing number of people with thyroid conditions linked to seaweed, issued a warning to doctors, endocrinologists and state and territory chief health officers last year.
Victoria's Department of Human Services, the National Health and Medical Research Council and Food Standards Australia New Zealand told The Sunday Age they agreed with Ms Renn that eating too much sushi could be a health risk.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/sushi-seaweed-linked-to-surge-in-thyroid-illness-20110730-1i5mm.html#ixzz1X5ieZ2ck
Center takes child care and play to new heights
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, research on early brain development shows that babies and toddlers need direct interactions with parents and other significant care givers for healthy brain growth and the development of appropriate emotional and cognitive skills.
[Sam: Species learn from species. Babies learn from babies as well as from parents.]
http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-center-takes-child-care-and-play-to-new-heights-20110903,0,3738324.story
[Sam: Species learn from species. Babies learn from babies as well as from parents.]
http://www.dailyamerican.com/news/somerset/da-ot-center-takes-child-care-and-play-to-new-heights-20110903,0,3738324.story
4.9.11
Language Forges Brain Pathways; Wellington Is Leader In Early Childhood Language Exposure
The regular, high-level use of more than one language may actually improve early brain development. That is what Newsweek reported in its August 7 edition, and it is a concept The Wellington School has embraced since our founding in 1982. The Wellington School has been teaching a world language to our youngest learners as a regular part of their early childhood learning experience since the school’s inception.
"Because our students start learning a language so early, they are able to become truly proficient in whichever language they choose to study," said Middle School French teacher Ms. Megan Wittmann. "The pathways are formed so early in their brains, which helps them with language acquisition."
[In Le Beaumont, we start earlier, from the 2nd month after birth, in more langages,the 5 key languages in the world in our Gifted Babies Program. Share this information about this blog with expecting moms.]
http://www.wellington.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204&nid=717310&bl=/default.aspx
"Because our students start learning a language so early, they are able to become truly proficient in whichever language they choose to study," said Middle School French teacher Ms. Megan Wittmann. "The pathways are formed so early in their brains, which helps them with language acquisition."
[In Le Beaumont, we start earlier, from the 2nd month after birth, in more langages,the 5 key languages in the world in our Gifted Babies Program. Share this information about this blog with expecting moms.]
http://www.wellington.org/podium/default.aspx?t=204&nid=717310&bl=/default.aspx
3.9.11
Breastfeeding Tied to Kids' Brainpower
Published September 02, 2011
Reuters
In a new study from the UK, kids who were breastfed as babies had higher scores on tests of vocabulary and reasoning at age 5 than those who weren't breastfed.
The data came from about 12,000 babies born in the UK between 2000 and 2002. When babies were nine months old and again at a later visit, parents were asked whether their child was breastfed and until what age.Then at five years, kids were brought in for tests that measured their vocabulary, reasoning and spatial skills.
Six or seven of every 10 babies were breastfed for some period of time.
Whether they were born on time or as preemies, kids tended to do better on the tests when they had been breastfed.
Those who were born on time and breastfed for four or six months were a few months ahead of their non-breastfed peers on vocabulary and picture-related reasoning tests.
Preemies who had been breastfed for as little as two months were also a few months ahead on picture and spatial tests compared to the other once-premature 5-year-olds, and those who were breastfed for four months saw a vocabulary boost.
For "kids who start off at a disadvantage, the gaps tend to get wider rather than narrower as they get older."
Some, but not all previous studies that looked for a link between breastfeeding and thinking skills or IQ have reported similar results.
東山評語：母乳育兒好處多，智商語言發展快。喁喁細語連末稍，黃金半歲定智愚。
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/02/breastfeeding-tied-to-kids-brainpower/#ixzz1WqVG8CIC
Reuters
In a new study from the UK, kids who were breastfed as babies had higher scores on tests of vocabulary and reasoning at age 5 than those who weren't breastfed.
The data came from about 12,000 babies born in the UK between 2000 and 2002. When babies were nine months old and again at a later visit, parents were asked whether their child was breastfed and until what age.Then at five years, kids were brought in for tests that measured their vocabulary, reasoning and spatial skills.
Six or seven of every 10 babies were breastfed for some period of time.
Whether they were born on time or as preemies, kids tended to do better on the tests when they had been breastfed.
Those who were born on time and breastfed for four or six months were a few months ahead of their non-breastfed peers on vocabulary and picture-related reasoning tests.
Preemies who had been breastfed for as little as two months were also a few months ahead on picture and spatial tests compared to the other once-premature 5-year-olds, and those who were breastfed for four months saw a vocabulary boost.
For "kids who start off at a disadvantage, the gaps tend to get wider rather than narrower as they get older."
Some, but not all previous studies that looked for a link between breastfeeding and thinking skills or IQ have reported similar results.
東山評語：母乳育兒好處多，智商語言發展快。喁喁細語連末稍，黃金半歲定智愚。
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/09/02/breastfeeding-tied-to-kids-brainpower/#ixzz1WqVG8CIC
2.9.11
內地將投500億，支持農村學前教育發展
Friday, September 02, 2011
中央政府承諾，未來五年將撥款500億元（610億港元），支持西部落後地區和中部貧困地區的農村發展學前教育。
據央視和新華社等國有媒體報道，溫家寶總理週三主持召開的國務院常務會議上，要求地方政府要在發展學前教育方面承擔更大責任。
中央政府還將擴大中小學教師職稱制度試點，以提高教學水平。
內地幼兒園數量不足，多年來一直飽受公眾批評，但直到去年中央政府才開始重視此事，並把學前教育列為未來10年教育發展規劃的首要任務。
內地大城市的父母抱怨學費較低而質素良好的幼兒園不足，但農村地區幼兒園的困境卻鮮為人知。農村幼兒園學生人數佔全國的80%，卻幾乎沒有公帑支持。
http://chinaoutlook.scmp.com/zh-hk/article.php?ArticleID=1000020254
中央政府承諾，未來五年將撥款500億元（610億港元），支持西部落後地區和中部貧困地區的農村發展學前教育。
據央視和新華社等國有媒體報道，溫家寶總理週三主持召開的國務院常務會議上，要求地方政府要在發展學前教育方面承擔更大責任。
中央政府還將擴大中小學教師職稱制度試點，以提高教學水平。
內地幼兒園數量不足，多年來一直飽受公眾批評，但直到去年中央政府才開始重視此事，並把學前教育列為未來10年教育發展規劃的首要任務。
內地大城市的父母抱怨學費較低而質素良好的幼兒園不足，但農村地區幼兒園的困境卻鮮為人知。農村幼兒園學生人數佔全國的80%，卻幾乎沒有公帑支持。
http://chinaoutlook.scmp.com/zh-hk/article.php?ArticleID=1000020254
Changing the World One Bright Red Book Bag at a Time
The red book bags have been delighting children since 1999, when members of the Peninsula Community Foundation, a philanthropic organization based in California’s Silicon Valley, founded Raising A Reader to help San Mateo County’s struggling preschoolers. Sterling Speirn, the foundation’s then-president, knew that most children who start behind, stay behind, and never develop the strong reading skills they need to succeed in life. He also knew that a significant percentage of America’s kids—about one in three—enter kindergarten lacking the skills they need to learn to read.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891613-312/changing_the_world_one_bright.html.csp
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/home/891613-312/changing_the_world_one_bright.html.csp
1.9.11
"FROM NEURONS TO NATIONS"
This fall, for the second time, the Center will offer a course for Harvard undergraduates, entitled "From Neurons to Nations: The Science of Early Childhood Development and the Foundations of a Successful Society." The General Education course is designed to bridge developmental science and social policy. It will begin with an overview of basic concepts of embryonic and neurobiological development, with particular attention focused on experience-dependent changes in brain architecture, and proceed to investigate how early experiences influence lifelong learning, behavior, and both physical and mental health. Students will then learn how broader understanding and effective translation of these scientific concepts can inform evidence-based policies and practices that advance the healthy development of children, families, and communities as well as bring high returns to all of society. The course will be taught by Jack P. Shonkoff, Charles A. Nelson III, and Holly Schindler, and will meet on Tuesdays from 1:00 - 3:00PM during the 2011 fall semester. The first class meeting will be on September 6th.
[Sam's remark: Share the major findings of the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University by enrolling in the Parenting Seminar at Le Beaumont on Saturday Tel: 2866 2028]
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/students_eld/learning_opportunities/courses/general-education/
[Sam's remark: Share the major findings of the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University by enrolling in the Parenting Seminar at Le Beaumont on Saturday Tel: 2866 2028]
http://developingchild.harvard.edu/index.php/activities/students_eld/learning_opportunities/courses/general-education/
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