Blog | First Five Nebraska

A Mother’s Love Can Change a Child’s Brain

Mothers’ support during children's preschool years is linked to robust growth in the area of the brain involved in learning, memory and stress response.

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May 05, 2016 | Posted in Research

Building a Baby’s Brain: From a Dirt Road to a Superhighway

Babies’ brains are not little sponges waiting for someone to pour information into them. They are built during the earliest years through very specific kinds of interactions. Read More

March 17, 2016 | Posted in General

What Does ‘Being Ready for School’ Really Mean?

On the first day of kindergarten, the child who is ready to learn is not necessarily the one who can count to 20 or name all the colors in the rainbow, rather it’s the child who can pay attention, take turns, get along with others and follow directions. Read More

August 21, 2014 | Posted in General

Nebraska Law Enforcement Leaders: Quality Early Care and Education Would Reduce Future Crime

Lincoln Public Safety Director Tom Casady has called on lawmakers to expand high-quality early care and education to lower crime. Casady spoke on behalf of Nebraska’s 80 members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids. Read More

August 14, 2014 | Posted in General

Happy Mother’s Day

The more we learn about early childhood development, the more we realize the truth behind Lincoln’s words. We now know that brain architecture is profoundly affected by our earliest experiences and interactions, and mothers and fathers are a child’s first and most influential relationships. Read More

May 08, 2014 | Posted in General

Families, Children and Stress

As social and economic pressures facing families continue to mount, the incidence of stress as a chronic physiological condition is increasing. The effects of prolonged stress on individual adults are high enough—its relationship to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, suppressed immune function and other health issues is well documented. Read More

April 16, 2014 | Posted in General

Celebrate Week of the Young Child by Promoting Fitness and Learning

April 6-12 is the Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Nebraska AEYC. “Early Years Are Learning Years” is the focus this year. Read More

April 10, 2014 | Posted in General

Why Music Matters

Do you remember songs from your childhood? Does hearing a particular song evoke memories of people, events or places in your past? Dick Clark said music is the soundtrack of our lives, and just as music can have a powerful effect on us as adults, it can have an equally strong impact on the developing brains of young children. Read More

April 03, 2014 | Posted in General Research

Tips for Reading with Toddlers

It's no secret that children benefit greatly when adults read to them. The positive interaction builds neural connections in their developing brains, reinforces basic speech skills and boosts self-esteem by making them feel secure and cared for. We invite you to celebrate International Children’s Book Day next Wednesday, April 2, by finding a good book and reading to the special kiddos in your life! Read More

March 27, 2014 | Posted in General

Tag Archives: brain development