Shaping Youngest Minds. Study Guide [and Videotape].

Noting research indicating that the flow of interaction with infants influences their brain development, this viewer's guide and videotape examine characteristics of early brain development and how parents can positively affect the infant's development in a number of areas. The first part of the viewer's guide provides an overview of the videotape, viewing objectives, and questions for discussion and research in the context of parenting education classes. The remainder of viewer's guide highlights information from the videotape, including new insights on the brain, how brain cells form connections, and behavioral effects of prenatal drug and alcohol exposure. Also highlighted are ways to soothe a fussy baby, guidelines for talking to an infant at different ages, and characteristics of quality day care settings. The accompanying videotape notes that both heredity and experience affect a child's development, and explores the anatomy of brain development and how various factors stimulate or hinder that development, including abuse and neglect. The videotape then explores six ways parents can positively affect their child's brain development: (1) maintaining good health and nutrition during pregnancy and for the newborn; (2) talk, read, and sing to infants in a loving voice; (3) use a loving touch; (4) comfort infants when they are distressed; (5) take care of mom and dad, including the importance of fathers and of obtaining adequate resources before having a baby; and (6) become involved in the child's day care or preschool. (HTH)