Shaping the Brain in the First 5 Years

On-Demand Class · Parenting

A guide to nurturing your child’s brain development for a lifetime of mental health, high self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing - all through the power of play and communication.

Class Description

Did you know that 90% of your child’s brain is developed in the first six years of life? This makes the first five years vital for building a lifelong foundation of self-love and emotional intelligence. Your child’s environment and their relationship with you play a vital role in your child’s brain development. The good news is, you don’t need to be a neuroscientist to help them develop in the right direction. All you need are the right steps to guide them along the way through simple activities like play and conversation. This is what you gain in the Shaping the Brain in the First 5 Years program. The magic of playtime: play is one of the biggest ways your child's mind develops in the early years. Try these playtime tools and techniques to take your playtime to a whole new level of growth and learning. An extraordinary relationship for an extraordinary mind: discover how to nurture a deep attunement with your child - which science now shows is a monumental catalyst for brain development. The truth about nature vs nurture: how much influence do you really have over your child's development and character? The answer may surprise you. Developing a strong & healthy belief system: harness the latest findings in attachment science to instill a set of healthy, uplifting, and empowering subconscious beliefs in your child. Autonomy from an early age: how to help your child gain autonomy, independence, and deep self-awareness - from early childhood all the way to adulthood.

Sessions Overview

  1. Introduction: Introduction
  2. Brain Growth in Years 0-5: Brain Growth in Years 0-5
  3. Nature vs. Nurture: Nature vs. Nurture
  4. The Attachment Relationship: The Attachment Relationship
  5. Responsive Parenting: Responsive Parenting
  6. How Attachment Influences Core Beliefs: How Attachment Influences Core Beliefs
  7. The Parent as the Home Base: The Parent as the Home Base
  8. Play Language + Nutrition: Play Language + Nutrition

Your Instructor

Evelyn Mendal

Evelyn Mendal is a mother, co-parent, and licensed mental health counselor, focused on helping parents to parent purposefully, and with a more conscious perspective. Her fascination with early childhood development and the parent-child relationship inspired her to develop an extensive resource curriculum to help parents navigate pregnancy and early childhood. Her approach is one of connection-based caregiving with a strong foundation in attachment theory and child development. She has led live parent workshops, preschool teacher workshops, parent groups, and has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and families in her private practice. Evelyn works with parents with the goal of encouraging them to become more confident, mindful and happy, which in turn, will raise healthy, happier, and more resilient kids.

Degrees and Certifications

Licensed Mental Health Counselor MS.Ed, Mental Health Counseling Certified in Gottman's "Bringing Home Baby" Certified in Infant Mental Health Trained in Florida Association for Infant Mental Health's: "The Growing Brain from Birth to 5 Years" Trained in Trauma-Focused CBT

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