Cooing, Crying, Cuddling: Infant Brain Development [Video and Guide]
Christi Szakaly-Meredith, Resa Matlock, Ball State University
This videotape recording, intended for caregivers of infants and toddlers, focuses on the rapid growth and changes in the brain during infancy and the implications for caregivers. The role of the caregiver is critical in providing an appropriate and responsive caregiving environment that fosters brain growth. The first part of the videotape describes basic development and brain research, emphasizing the importance of nurture and early stimulation of all the senses for healthy brain growth. Next health and safety issues are reviewed. Problems of substance abuse by pregnant mothers, nutrition and sleep needs, safety concerns in the caregiving environment, and the effects of Shaken-Infant Syndrome are addressed. Steps that caregivers can take to create a safe environment are outlined. The next section of the videotape emphasizes that caregiver responsiveness to the child and to the families is extremely important. This section addresses ways that caregivers can provide a basis for secure attachments that will help in the emotional, social, and cognitive development of the child, and describes the special qualities of good caregivers. Partnership with parents and good communication are also essential in a good childcare program. The components of an ideal caregiving facility are listed. The videotape ends by pointing out how a responsive environment aids in literacy development, problem-solving skills, and social skills.
Christi Szakaly-Meredith, Resa Matlock, Ball State University. Cooing, Crying, Cuddling: Infant Brain Development [Video and Guide] (1998). Ball State University: Muncie, IN.
Sponsoring Agency: Ball State University
Language: English
Reading Level: Average
Formats Available: Printed Material, Videotape
(The accompanying print guide is titled "Reflections on Practice: A Companion Guide to
Indiana's Child Care Collection" - contact producer regarding price)
Ball State University
The Child Care Collection
c/o Christi Szakaly-Meredith
BSU TC 1008
Muncie, IN
46306
Phone: (877) 550-4455
Fax: (765) 285-4045
Email: cszakaly@bsu.edu
Languages Available: English, Spanish
Laughing, Learning, Loving: Toddler Brain Development [Video and Guide]
Intended User Audience:
Users can be early childhood care and education professionals, including child care providers, preschool personnel, K-3rd grade teachers, preservice students in ECE, ECSE, and those working toward CDA (Child Development Associate) certification.
Product Development:
Two co-directors oversee development of the videos in this collection. Both have backgrounds in early childhood education, and one of the co-directors is bilingual in Spanish and English.
Each video is developed using a multi-step process. First, state level personnel decide on the content areas for new videos (once each year). Second, a team of experts is gathered representing higher education faculty (mostly in-state), state personnel, child care providers from home and center-based settings, and other disciplines as needed for specific topics (e.g., physical therapist). Based on input from the team, a script is developed. Then in-state sites are chosen for filming. A production crew and members of the expert team as well as state level personnel often accompany staff to the sites. Edits to the scripts and video segments are done as a group. The process takes approximately six months to complete.
While the cultural and linguistic diversity of each video is primarily European American and English-speaking, an effort is made to film at sites representing diversity in both children and staff (e.g., home child care, preschool center in the inner city, university lab schools).
Product Evaluation:
As noted above, informal evaluation is done during the development of each video. The team reviews the script and footage in an ongoing manner.
There are plans for focus groups and surveys to collect data concerning the effectiveness of the videos (presentation and content). The complete set of videos (N =23) are also used as part of CDA certification in Indiana.
Product Dissemination:
As of December 1999, 50 copies of Bienvenidos a todos los ninos: Cuidado inclusivo, 300 copies of Welcoming all children: Creating inclusive child care, 1436 copies of Cooing, crying, cuddling: Infant brain development, 1473 copies of Toddler brain development, and 534 copies of The B.U.S.I.N.E.S.S. of family child care have been disseminated throughout the United States. Additional dissemination figures:
Developmental Infant Care - 416 = 1129 copies
Dilemas Diarios Manejando Difficultades - 894S = 200
Pintando un Cuardo...881S = 200
Daily Dilemmas - coping with challenges - 894? = 1166
Planeando dias apropiados - 882S = 200
El Desarrollo del cuidado... #416 = 200
Quality Fmaily Child Care - #885 = 1357
Designing developmentally appropriate days - 882 = 1980
Painting a postive picture...881 = 2720
Cuidado de calidad para los ninos..885S = 200
Review #1
About the reviewer:
The reviewer is originally from the People's Republic of China. She
holds a master's degree in early childhood special education from
Eastern Illinois University and is now pursuing her Ph.D. in early
childhood special education at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign. During her studies, she has had varied practical
experiences working with children with moderate to severe
disabilities. She is very interested in family-professional
collaboration, particularly between families from diverse backgrounds
and their service providers in the early intervention service
delivery process.
Audience:
This video is developed to train early childhood care and education professionals including child care providers, preschool personnel, K-3rd grade teachers, preservice students in early childhood education, early childhood special education, and those working toward CDA (Child Development Associate) certification.
Strengths of the Material:
Several strengths of the material can be found. First, the purpose of the material is clearly stated, and the presentation of information is easy to follow. Second, the presence of the first lady of Indiana, her introductory speech and her support for early childhood care and education, affirm the importance of this field and the role of the care providers in the lives of young children and their families. Third, the video includes diverse early childhood care settings (e.g., preschool, family homes, infant-toddler day care centers), children from many ethnic groups (e.g., Asian, Hispanic, African American, and Euro-American), and their families. Fourth, the tone of the language emphasizes respect for families and the importance of establishing partnerships with them. In general, the video provides comprehensive information about different aspects of caregiving that care providers need to have knowledge of and expertise with in working with children and families.
Limitations of the Material:
One major limitation of the video is that the information provided is generic and does not address specific issues that caregivers might encounter in providing care and education to young children from culturally and linguistically diverse families. Although it is stated in the video that caregivers need to respect families, the ways caregivers can provide sensitive and appropriate care to young children from diverse backgrounds is not addressed. For example, families may have different perspectives in regard to spoiling, crying, children eating foods with fingers, infants and toddlers playing and exploring with art materials (e.g., paints). One incident in the video may be disturbing to some families (e.g., an infant put paints into his mouth while exploring them in his high chair). The video also shows routine clinical visits and immunizations, which may be a concern to some families. Child care providers also need to address the child's language needs and communication mode with families if the child's family speaks language(s) other than English at home. Another limitation is that there is medical and special education jargon in the video, which may be unfamiliar to some care providers (e.g., learning disability).
Adaptations:
Since this video is developed in Indiana, adaptations need to be made if this video is to be used to train care providers who work with culturally and linguistically diverse families. The following adaptations may be necessary:
1. Use this video for basic information about care and education in the center, or as a supplement to other training materials (e.g., workshops or classes for care providers providing care and education to young children from culturally and linguistically diverse families). The generic information does provide an overview of the basic aspects of early childhood care and education for infants and toddlers.
2. If the child care providers work with culturally and linguistically diverse children and families, invite families and/or bicultural and bilingual guides to watch this video with the care providers, and provide time for families and guides to have input in order to improve family-professional mutual understanding, communication, and partnerships.
3. If this video is used for training, trainers need to encourage care providers to engage in ongoing dialogue with families who are from culturally and linguistically diverse families. Caregivers need to communicate with families to learn their ideas of sensitive and appropriate care based on the family's perspective. If conflicts and mismatches between family and caregiver beliefs and practices arise, support and training (e.g., consultant, bicultural and bilingual guides) need to be involved in order to address the issues in context.
Generalizability:
The video is produced in Indiana. Suggested adaptations can enhance the generalizability of the material.
Recommendations:
Recommend with adaptations.
Producer's Response:
Not available at this time.
Review #2
About the reviewer:
The reviewer is an educational consultant who works with local
school systems, state government agencies, and early intervention
programs. The focus of her work includes developing and evaluating
programs; training in the areas of inclusion, team teaching, and
language development; and identifying effective classroom interventions with
children with disabilities (preschool-high school) who live in urban
and suburban communities. She holds a master's degree in speech
pathology from the University of Illinois.
Audience:
A variety of early childhood care and education professionals comprise the intended audience for Cooing, Crying, and Cuddling: Infant Brain Development including: child care providers; preschool personnel; kindergarten-third grade teachers; pre-service students in early childhood education, early childhood special education; and those working toward child development associate certification.
Strengths of the Material:
There are several notable strengths in this material, which consists of a video and companion guide:
o Using fairly recent research on the brain, the video and guide provide a matter-of-fact look at the science behind the development of an infant's brain. In addition to covering important facts about an infant's brain in general, the video and guide raise awareness about such topics as: differences between healthy and abused brains; the impact of a mother's emotional state during pregnancy on the fetus; the proper amount of sleep needed by a newborn and infant's brain; safety issues affecting healthy brain development; and the need for adults to provide a secure, responsive and loving environment.
o The video highlights desirable practices by showing professionals and parents engaging in those practices during daily routines and interactions with infants. For example, at the beginning of the video, a father is shown singing to his infant daughter, though notably off-key. The narrator indicates that to that infant, her father's voice is very special. Key information is presented in discrete segments that are sub-titled to permit the viewer to stop at natural junctures to reflect on or discuss the information just viewed. Segment sub-titles include: basic development and brain research, health and safety issues, caregiver responsiveness, guidance, and partnering, as well as environment.
o The companion guide extends the information covered in the video. It is comprehensive enough to be used alone. Primary features of the guide include: a listing of objectives; journal writing opportunities about personal experiences the potential viewer has had with infants prior to seeing the video; an overview of the contents of the video; space for the viewer to track questions that arise while watching the video; and a list of related activities that allow the viewers to personally apply what they have learned or know about infant brain development. For example, one activity invites the viewer to "List and describe the ingredients for healthy brain development." Another activity requests that the viewer "Make an infant toy that will stimulate at least three senses."
Limitations of the Material:
Content pertaining to "windows of opportunity" in the companion guide is a bit too general and could confuse the reader.
Adaptations:
A more in-depth treatment of the topic of windows of opportunity, utilizing information from such authorities as Marian Diamond, whose work is found in the reference list, would be a helpful adaptation.
Generalizability:
This material offers a much-needed resource on current brain research and best practices in infant care for individuals enrolled in preservice programs, as well as those participating in continuing education. Many parents will find the material informative as well. While the video and guide were produced in Indiana, its content is not limited by geographic boundaries. The user-friendly formats of the material will make it possible for busy early childhood professionals to use it in small time segments without compromising an understanding of the content. The video is also available in Spanish.
Recommendations:
Recommended because, overall, the material helps to inform the practice of early childhood providers and other professionals about infant brain development.
Producer's Response:
Not available at this time.
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