Thrive To Five is a project of Communities In Schools of Tempe and Kyrene that is funded by First Things First to provide family support services to parents and/or caregivers of children between the ages of birth to five years old.

Thrive To Five has the goals of promoting understanding of early child development and brain growth and to provide families and caregivers with the tools to help children reach their potential and enter school ready to learn.

Family Support Services are offered through the Family Resource Centers of the Tempe Elementary and Kyrene School Districts. Parent Liaisons work within the Resource Centers as a direct contact for parents in their community.

This program serves the communities of Chandler, Tempe, Guadalupe and Ahwatukee Arizona. Click here for the website!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Grow That Brain!

My kids were born at 35 weeks gestation and because of that they had an automatic reservation for three lovely isolates in the NICU.  We were pretty fortunate that they were born healthy and for the most part only needed some time in NICU to learn to eat and put some weight on “feeders and growers” the nurses called them.
When the doctors started to talk about a discharge date we were asked if we wanted to enroll in a program that would send a child-development specialist out to our house once a month or so to perform weight checks and developmental screenings … as terrified parents of three premature infants …this sounded like heaven.
Our specialist was great.  She came and weighed our peanuts praising us for every ounce they gained and questioned us on the kids’ developmental milestones assuring us that they were doing wonderful.  I loved her visits, they were so comforting.
Another thing our visitor would do is bring us great information and activity sheets on brain development.
Some of the activities seemed silly and to sleep deprived parents of triplets …darn right funny… but the point was it doesn’t take special toys or expensive classes to impact your child’s development.  Some of the games we laughed at turned out to be our babies’ favorite games.
The kids are almost four now and although none are being scouted by the ivy leagues yet... we think they are pretty darn smart.
The New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development are bringing their Brain Time workshops to Thrive To Five…for FREE!
Check it out…  J -Amanda
The Brain Time for Children Workshops are parent-child programs that includes time for parent(s) and child to work and play together using Brain Boxes®.  Parents will learn facts about early brain development, early literacy and child development tips.

Workshops are based on the ABC’s of Early Learning®, Attention, Bonding and Communication.  Brain Time utilizes NDI’s patented Brain Box® learning system.  Certificates and incentives will be awarded to families who complete the 3 class series.

Brain Time! Birth- 18 months
Thursdays: Jan 27, Feb. 3, 10 @ 2:45-4:00pm
Kyrene Family Resource Center
1330 E Dava Dr. Tempe
RSVP: anosbisch@kyrene.org 480-783-4177

Brain Time! 18 months- 3 years old
Mondays: Feb. 14, 28 & March 7 @ 8:30-9:45
Hudson Elementary School
1325 E Malibu Dr. Tempe
RSVP: bdigioia@tempeschools.org  480-897-6608 x6122



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