Let's Grow Brain P.O.W.E.R!

The Let’s Grow Brain P.O.W.E.R! program is designed to encourage screen-free, brain-building activities for young children and families. So much of the real work and play of childhood is being lost as our lives become increasingly dominated by screens. Our hope is that this program will serve as a reminder to preserve childhood! We focus on small, healthy changes that can add up to big healthy changes.

The early years are precious- and crucial- for children’s healthy growth and development. Screen overuse has been shown to harm developing eyes, brains and bodies - as well as disrupt important developmental activities such as: attachment with caregivers, sleep, language and social skills, as well as the development of executive function and attention.

Recent MRI studies even showed a thinning of the brain’s white matter tracts that support language and emergent literacy skills in preschool aged kids exposed excessively to screens (Hutton, 2020). Children need to be GROWING brains, not THINNING brains! This knowledge is what led us to create the Let’s Grow Brain POWER! program. Young brains and bodies are meant to learn and grow in the real world- which is 3-dimensional, multi-sensory and unpredictable! Children need to work and play in this type of environment to build resilience and creativity, as well as to practice social and problem solving skills. These abilities set the stage for future success.
Many Brain P.O.W.E.R. activities are free and easily accessible to families.

Teachers can help provide simple materials as inspiration. Our list of suggestions encourages the activities that children need in order to GROW BRAIN POWER!!!