When does your baby's brain develop?

How does a baby learn?

Why are the years from birth to five so important?

The mission of New Directions is 'to provide parents and caregivers with training and tools to help every infant, toddler and preschooler in Arizona develop a healthy brain and enter school ready to learn'.  Parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, childcare providers, and others who care for infants and toddlers are invited to join New Directions Institute for our FREE presentations of the latest research and techniques to "wire up" your child's brain for a successful future.

The following FREE workshops are currently being offered:

Wired for Success®

Wired for Success® explores brain development with a special focus on Security, Touch, Eyes (vision), Play, and Sound, the five key components of NDI's S.T.E.P.S.® curriculum.  These workshops address new and cutting-edge developments in neuroscience and present practical methods for stimulating healthy early brain development in children.  Both introductory one-hour as well as half-day workshops are available. Certificates of completion will be provided.

Click here for more information about upcoming Wired for Success workshops

Brain Time with Brain Boxes

Brain Time is a one-to-one program that provides parents and caregivers with a fun, interactive setting where parent/caregiver and child are learning together. Brain Time follows a classic storytime format, but includes one-on-one time for the parent and child to work and play together using brainboxes.  Facts about brain development and early literacy, as well as tips for parents are key elements of the program.  The three-part series of workshops are based on the ABC’s of Early Learning®, Attention, Bonding and Communication.  Brain Time utilizes NDI’s patented Brain Box® learning system.  Gifts are provided for attendance and certificates will be awarded to families who complete the series.

Click here for more information about upcoming Brain Time workshops. 

KinderPrep

NDI’s KinderPrep interactive parent/child workshop series is for parents or caregivers with their children ages three to five years old. Each of the three sessions in the series (Attention, Bonding, Communication) will focus on inexpensive at-home activities that will enhance brain development and help prepare a child’s brain for success in school. Families will be able to take home the activities they work on in each session.  Gifts are provided for attendance and certificates will be awarded to families who complete the series.

Click here for more information about upcoming KinderPrep workshops.

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"These (workshops) are especially good for parents without a teaching background.  It was very well organized. I think it's a good approach to give parents time to try things out."   

    - Mother of two, 17 and 29 months

“This program provided me with specific information related to brain development that I can apply in daily activities.”

    - Mother of a 3 year old

“I view my time with the children differently (after this workshop).  I am more aware of what I can be doing that will help the child learn and grow.  While feeding them I am thinking of something I can be doing that will help the child learn.”

    - Childcare Worker