Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power »

Holly Engel-Smothers is a former Parent Educator for the Parents as Teachers early childhood program and continues to work as a consultant for Parents as Teachers, especially for families with twins. To qualify for this certification, Holly participated in hundreds of hours of training and workshops to study a brain-based curriculum that benefits both educators and parents. Since 1990, she has been an educator, specializing in teaching parents and their children, up to age 7. She works in a Title I program, teaching low-level students, and is on her district's Communication Arts Committee and Literacy Team. She has a Master's Degree in Teaching Reading. Holly's writing credits include "The Read and Respond" series (published by Edupress), consisting of six curriculum guides based on children's literature. She has also written "The Real World" series (also published by Edupress), three books for practical applications of reading, math, and science. Holly has had numerous articles published in magazines, including Missouri's National Education Magazine Something Better, as well as Mother and Child Reunion: A Parenting, Education, and Health Resource. She is a contributing author to two books, It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence (2007) and Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Families with Twins, Multiples, and Singletons (2007).

Susan M. Heim is an author and editor, specializing in parenting, multiples, and women's issues, and is a former Senior Editor for the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Susan's books include Oh, Baby! 7 Ways a Baby Will Change Your Life the First Year; Twice the Love: Stories of Inspiration for Familieswith Twins, Multiples and Singletons; It's Twins! Parent-to-Parent Advice from Infancy Through Adolescence; and the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More (2009). Susan's articles and essays have appeared in many books, magazines and web sites. She writes a regular online column for Mommies Magazine called "Loving and Living with Twins and Multiples," as well as a blog for parents called "Susan Heim on Parenting" (www.susanheim.blogspot.com). She has been on numerous radio shows, including BBC Radio, Colleen Miller's "Lighten Up" show, the Michael Dresser show, Parents Journal, Parent Talk with Susannah Baldwin, and Share Your Mission with Winn Henderson, M.D. Susan is also an expert on twins and multiples for AllExperts.com and ParentsConnect.com, and a parenting expert for SelfGrowth.com. She is a member of the National Association of Women Writers and the Southeastern Writers Association, and has a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University. Susan maintains web sites at www.susanheim.com, ababywillchangeyourlife.com, and twinstalk.com.

With more than 100 billion neurons that would stretch more than 60,000 miles, a newborn baby's brain is quite phenomenal! These neurons must generally form connections within the first eight months of a baby's life to foster optimal brain growth and lifelong learning. Mommies, daddies, and caregivers are extremely vital to ensuring babies reach their full potential, and this parent guidebook offers descriptive explanations for developing and nurturing maximum brain power during the essential early years. Topics include:

-Factors that influence brain growth in the womb
-Fattening up the brain
-Windows of opportunity
-Development of language, vision, hearing, & motor skills
-Red flags in your baby's development
-Uncovering your baby's temperament

Preface

Chapter 1. Baby's Got Brains: Jumping Through Vital "Windows of Opportunity"

The Brain 101
Factors That Influence Brain Growth in the Womb
Fattening Up the Brain
Windows of Opportunity
Love Is NOT All Your Baby Needs

Chapter 2. Attachment and Baby Brains: Spoiled Rotten Is a Good Thing

The Chilling Effects of Lack of Attachment
Lessons Learned
Babies and Stress
Cry, Baby, Cry
How to Bond with Your Newborn
Conclusion

Chapter 3. Language: Getting Baby Ready to Read

Language Development in the First Three Months
Reading Promotes Language Development
How to Read to Your Baby
What Books Should You Read?
Baby's on a Roll! (4-6 Months)
Repeat, Repeat, Repeat! (7-8 Months)
Building Vocabulary (9-12 Months)
Language and Literacy-Building Activities
Raising a Future Writer-and Computer User
Conclusion

Chapter 4. Vision: Seeing Is Believing-and Bonding

Crossed Eyes Are Common (0-2 Months)
The World Comes into Focus (3-4 Months)
"Look, Ma, I've Got Hands!" (5-6 Months)
It's Toy-Dropping Time (7-8 Months)
Curiosity Grows the Brain (9-12 Months)
Red Flags
Conclusion

Chapter 5. Hearing: Little Ears Do Big Things

Early Hearing Assessment
How the Ear Works
Early Listening (0-6Months)
Delightful Sounds (7-12 Months)
Informal Hearing Check
Signs of Impairment
Conclusion

Chapter 6. Motor Skills: From Crawling to Walking to . . . Watch Out!

What Are Motor Skills?
Exercise with Your Newborn (0-3 Months)
Let's Get Lively! (3-6 Months)
Time to Dance! (7-8 Months)
Create a "Yes Environment" (9-12 Months)
Conclusion

Chapter 7. Temperament: Is Your Child a Shrinking Violet or a Thorny Rose?

Uncovering Your Baby's Temperament
The Temperament Test
Trait 1: Regularity
Trait 2: Activity
Trait 3: Sociability
Trait 4: Adaptability
Trait 5: Intensity
Trait 6: Disposition
Trait 7: Persistence
Trait 8: Distractibility
Trait 9: Sensitivity
Conclusion

Chapter 8. Going to the Doctor: Why the Doctor/Patient Relationship Is So Vital

Conversation with a Pediatrician
Windows of Opportunity
Packing Your Bags
Vaccination and Screening
The First Visit
Finding a Doctor
Male or Female?
Doctor Interviews
Brothers and Sisters
Medication Samples
Getting Sick at the Doctor's
Sunscreen for Babies
Stranger Anxiety
Surfing the Web
Getting Face Time
Common Concerns
Early Discipline
Unsafe Products
Getting Emotionally Attached

Bibliography
Index
About the Authors