Division Building Brains Together-At Home offering a 10-week session beginning Jan. 10, 2022.
If you are looking for an innovative program delivery for children 3 and 4 years of age that offers engaging play activities that build a child’s executive function skills then, the Building Brains Together– At Home program is for you!
This program is provided in partnership between the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge School Division. Building Brains Together– At Home strives to empower parents and caregivers by building on adult capabilities to develop the executive functions of their child’s brain, a process best accomplished in the first five years of their lives. Studies have shown students who improve their executive brain function at an early age, are set up for improved learning in the future. Learn more about Building Brains Together at www.buildingbrains.ca
With an online delivery format, parents and children can do the learning together from home. Virtual lesson times, offered three times a week, are play based and engaging for the children. Parents get the added benefits of connecting with an Early Learning Educator each week. Learning together is our main goal; we look forward to having you as part of our program.
Please read on for more information about this powerful program:
What are Executive Function Skills?
Executive functions include important skills such as self-regulation (dealing with emotions, controlling impulses, tolerating change, being able to return to a calm state, etc.), working memory, paying attention, organization skills, problem solving, flexibility, and much more.
How many sessions are offered each week?
Building Brains Together– At Home will include three weekly live, small group, online sessions for the child and caregiver, with an Early Learning Educator. Virtual sessions, approximately 30 minutes in length, will take place in the afternoons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Parents get the added benefit of a weekly parent café; held on Monday afternoons, which will include educational support and guest speakers on child/brain development.
Will a Virtual Delivery work for children ages 3 and 4?
The Division recognizes that a virtual format is not optimal for young children, but it is a way for adults to work alongside their child, providing essential real-life interaction that is so critical for young children’s learning and brain development. The Early Learning Educator will ensure the lessons will be age appropriate, engaging and fun!
What supplies do I need to participate in this program?
The program strives to keep materials and supplies to things you may already have around the house. Each participant will also receive a Building Brains bag, comprising of materials to support activities in the program. All families will need to have an electronic device, laptop, computer, etc. to join the class each week.
Is the Building Brains Together – At Home program new to Lethbridge School Division?
Lethbridge School Division has embedded the Building Brains Together activities in their Early Education Program classrooms for 5 years, and now these activities are being offered in a virtual format.
Important information about the U of L study happening in conjunction with this program:
To register in the program, parents also agree to participate in a University of Lethbridge Department of Neuroscience study with Dr. Robbin Gibb and Dr. Claudia Gonzalez. This involves completing parent surveys at the beginning and end of the program. Children in the program will participate in some play-based activities both at the beginning and end of the program to look at their growth in executive function skills.
What is the cost of the program?
We are now offering a 10-week session, beginning January 10, 2022. Families pay a one-time $40 registration fee and then $25/week for 10 weeks ($250).
Session Date: Jan. 10 to March 24, 2022
Please note, this program follows the school division calendar and will not offer programming on holidays or non-school days.
How can I register?
Click this link to register: REGISTRATION.
Contact Rochelle Neville, the Division’s Early Learning Co-ordinator, at Rochelle.neveille@lethsd.ab.ca for more information.