Early Learning and Brain Development, Part II

Same folks, however the majority of the presentation was now on Phoenix Children's Museum staff ....

The purpose of this session was to discuss what is "Brain Time" ...

"Brain Time" is a patented plastic storage box containing plastic toys, "educational nuggets (early learning facts), book, and a placement.

Does this sound similar to our elf kits or family place or even IDEO kits?

It did to me - was mildly irked because the presentation vibe came off as if this was original knowledge never before done in the span of time. Great info - but let's be honest - there's stuff out there, we're learning from each other, and this is a great way to do it.

This program started as a grant (I believe funded by Boeing) to create "brain time" boxes / programming within the Phoenix museum. 200 boxes?

2 programs a week (babies and toddler), growing over the year to include preschoolers (now morphing into a family session due to low turn out).

- 90 libraries in AZ use brain time boxes
- 4 libraries OH
- Phoenix Children's museum only museum to use

30 minute programs

Babies 0-18 months (15 parent / child combos - other family can come)
Toddler 18 - 3 years (10 - to rambunctious and lots of family)
Preschool 3-5 years (15 parent / child)

Placemat in kit focuses child's attention to "parent / child program area" (Montessori uses trays)

Themes of kits:

Babies = massage, mirror play, puppet, raffle, water, sensory, shape, song, colors, books, balls

Toddler = balls, bubbles, puppets, sorting, water, vehicles, shapes, obstacle course, nursery rhymes, colors

The brain time starts with parent check in, scarves are available or family play while every comes, sing intro song, activity from kits (example water play in tubs), then families play with all boxes, closing circle, end with scarves.

I liked a lot of the information. I found it frustrating that at the end of the session Dr. Stamm spoke and said a few things that I did not agree with - "everyone can talk about STEM all they want to, but no one know what do with the little ones" clearly lots of us do! Then she spoke that lots of libraries are doing storytimes, but its the "wrong kind of learning" where the children all come down to the carpet without the parent and it's about the child and parent interacting" -once again - agghhhhh that is not how we do storytimes!

So great info ...  she's a bit out of touch.