Brain Development Resources and Websites

The importance of early brain development and its impact on the success of young children throughout their lives is enormous. It is essential for parents and professionals working with young children to understand brain development and how it affects the school readiness of young children.

Abecedarian Study

Download a presentation of North Carolina University's Abecedarian study. It links quality educational child care in infancy with positive adult outcomes.

The Brain Connection

Enroll in this online course and learn how the growing brain prepares a child for new experiences at different stages of life.

Brainwonders: Helping Babies Grow and Develop

This site gives parents, caregivers and pediatric and family clinicians meaningful information about early brain development. It explores how relationships between babies, parents and caregivers support intellectual and social-emotional development. The site is a collaborative project of Zero to Three, the Erikson Institute and Boston University School of Medicine.

Educarer

This is an easy-to-read and well-referenced article written by an early childhood professional on the science of brain development from conception through infancy.

Preschool Rainbow

This is a short article on the early stages of brain development, written by an early childhood educator. It shows how early childhood education encourages brain growth, memory and language development in babies and young preschool children.

The Secret Life of the Brain

This five-part series, which premiered nationally on PBS in winter 2002, has exciting new information in the brain sciences. It introduces the foremost researchers in the field, and utilizes dynamic visual imagery and compelling human stories to help a general audience understand otherwise difficult scientific concepts. The first two episodes are dedicated to babies and children's brain development.

Talaris Research Institute

Talaris has gathered leading research studies on social and emotional development and merged them into easy-to-read and interesting summaries.

UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities 

This report written by physicians attempts to answer questions from legislators, service providers and families about the science of brain development. It explores how that science can inform the decisions we make for young children.

Recommended Reading

• Shonkoff,J., & Phillips,D. (Eds.).(2000). From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

The websites and resources listed do not necessarily reflect Smart Start Colorado's official position. Inclusion in this website does not constitute endorsement or promotion.