Babies are born to learn

Published 5:00 pm Tuesday, September 25, 2007

JOHN DAY – “Born to Learn,” the popular 12-week parenting series sponsored by Families First kicks off from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 4. The series is specifically designed to appeal to new parents and expectant parents. A light supper is served at 5:30 p.m. and the group begins at 6 p.m. and is over at 8 p.m. A complimentary children’s program is available on site for older children.

Randi Movich, parent educator at Families First and mother of three, will facilitate the series in partnership with local experts who deliver useful information in a variety of topic areas. Each guest presenter will provide an hour of topic specific assistance in their area of expertise followed by an hour of the Neuroscience of Early Brain Development presented by Families First staff.

Some of the expert topics to be covered are: So Now You’re A Parent – what to expect; Feeding and Bathing – information on breast and bottle feeding, when to introduce solids and techniques for bathing and infant hygiene; Grow with Me – the stages of development in baby’s first year; Infant/Parent Communication – understanding cries, cooing, eye contact and infant sign language; Infant/Newborn Massage and Play Therapy – hands-on training and massage techniques, games, bonding, development and growth tools; Car Seat Safety 101 – the latest safety rules and laws and practical instruction in the proper installation of safety seats; Managing Your Emotions – information on pre and postpartum depression, eating and nutrition, exercise, relationships and self-care; Getting Back into the Groove – information on childcare options, scheduling your life with baby, returning to work and birth planning; Infant and Toddler Dental Development – learn about baby bottle mouth, proper dental care to prevent decay, tooth development, thumb sucking, pacifiers and teething; and Home and Food Safety – baby proofing your home and car, safe ways to handle baby and food safety issues.

The Parent Educators at Families First will discuss early brain development, windows of opportunity for hearing, sight and speech; fine and gross motor skill development and activities parents can do with their unborn and newborn infant to give their baby the best start possible in life.

A baby’s brain grows to two-thirds the size of an adult brain in the first three years of life. What parents do to promote healthy brain and body development has a significant impact on the child’s future. At Families First we believe all parents can benefit from the latest research and information about early childhood development. If you have a new baby, are expecting a new baby or know someone who is, we encourage you to explore this series.

Call Randi or Teresa at 575-1006 for registration information.