Square One: A Division of the Virginia Business Coalition on Health.
Entering School Ready to Read/Learn
What does it take for a child to enter school ready to learn?
Infant Brain Development
- Eat healthy during pregnancy. Research demonstrates that malnourished fetuses suffer lasting behavioral and cognitive deficits, lower IQ, and/or poorer school performance due to inadequate brain growth.
- Taking Vitamin B and Folic Acid (400 micrograms) can prevent 60% of Neural Tube Defects (NTD's). Folic Acid should be taken before conception and throughout pregnancy. (Prenatal vitamins contain folic acid.)
- Breastfeed if you are able or use iron-fortified formula.
- The brain develops rapidly from 0-5. Provide a safe and loving environment with age appropriate activities.
- Talk, read and sing! (Read rhyming books.)
Brain Builders for Toddlers
- Provide responsive care (hugs, laughter, smiles and bonding time).
- Foster a child's natural curiosity through actively engaging them in play, keeping safety in mind.
- Encourage fine/gross motor development (sitting, crawling, pointing, using rattles, blocks or balls).
- Ask open-ended questions. "Where is that ball going?" "What is that sound?"
- Use nature to stimulate sensory experiences (observe a bird, watch the weather) then talk about what you see. "What is that bird doing?"
