Start Smart: Building Brain Power in the Early Years

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Did you know that emotions boost our memory? Or that small muscle exercises help the brain develop? Early experiences contribute to the structure of the brain and its capacities. The quality, quantity, and consistency of stimulation will determine, to a large extent, the number of brain synapses that are formed and how those connections will function. This is true for both cognitive and emotional development, and the effect is lifelong. Start Smart! offers simple, straightforward ways to boost brain power with active exploration, repetition, sensory exploration, laughter, and more. All the chapters describe how and why the brain develops and explain how you can use the activities to give your children the best foundation for future learning. About theAuthor Dr. Pam Schiller is Vice President of Professional Development for the Early Childhood Division at McGraw-Hill Learning Materials/McGraw-Hill Publishers. She was honored with the Award for Outstanding Teacher Educator from the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children and is the former President of the Southern Early Childhood Association. She shares her extensive knowledge in workshops, radio and television interviews, and as a popular keynote speaker and author. She lives in Columbus, OH. Table of Contents Introduction Sniff, Sniff: Aromas and the brain Eeeny, Meeney, Miney, Mo: Choices and the brain I Feel Blue: Color and the brain I Feel Rhythm: Mind and body cycles and the brain I Feel, I Remember: Emotions and the brain Hop, Skip, Jump: Exercise and the brain Water, Water, Everywhere: Hydration and the brain Laughter and Learning: Laughter and the brain Always Across: Cross-lateral movement and the brain Many Ways to be Smart: Multiple intelligences and the brain Start with Mozart: Music and the brain The Power of New: Novelty and the brain Feeding the Brain: Nutrition and the brain More Than Plaids: Patterns and the brain Try, Try Again: Practice and the brain No Problem: Problem solving and the brain Praise or Encouragement: Rewards and Praise and the brain Spanish, Chinese, Arabic: Learning a second language and the brain What Does It Mean?: Sense and meaning and the brain The Hand-Brain Connection: Small muscles and the brain Appendix Index