Cornerstone Institutions are the Foundation for Future Learning

New Directions Institute (NDI) for Infant Brain Development, with funding from First Things First, is embarking on a new project to reach out to parents in the east valley in Maricopa County with valuable information about early infant brain development and how to maximize opportunities for healthy development and future learning.  The Cornerstone Institution project embeds NDI's brain development curriculum and early education programs into respected and trusted cornerstone institutions including hospitals, public libraries and established community centers. 

"We will be leaving our curriculum at these trusted institutions for other people to teach," said Jill Stamm, director of New Directions Institute.  "This assures sustainability of the programs beyond the scope of any grant." 

At Chandler Regional and Tempe St. Luke's hospitals, three or four nurses in each of the two main hospitals and birthing centers will be trained to teach the four-hour NDI "Wired for Success" curriculum.  Designed to guide parents with the most current information about early infant brain development, the classes are targeted to hospital patients who have just given birth or are about to give birth.  In the first year, NDI staff will teach the classes.  Year two classes will be co-taught by NDI instructors and hospital staff.  In year three, NDI will serve in a mentoring capacity.  "Because doctors and nurses are recommending these classes in hospitals where "Wired for Success" is already in place, typical attendance at the classes has been excellent," said Jill Stamm, co-founder of New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development." 

The Chandler Downtown Library, Sunset Library, Tempe Library and Guadalupe Library will reach out to parents of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers with "Brain Time" programs, modeled after traditional library "Story Time" programs.  "Brain Time" will emphasize one to one interactions, with parents interacting with their  children in a play setting using Brain Box™ toys and books.

Finally, the North Tempe and Escalante Multi-Generational Community Centers, Pecos Community Center and AzCA Chandler office, will host the play-based, brain-based NDI KinderPrep pre-literacy program.  Kinder Prep activities use common materials found in many homes to illustrate and practice fun learning experiences for children birth to five, with an emphasis on three to five year olds.  Each fun interaction is linked to how that activity strengthens brain connections.

"What we're hoping is that parents will run into the identical information in three formats, and that repetition will increase the likelihood of parents understanding their important role in the healthy development of their children," adds Jill.

The Cornerstone Institution project is expected to be up and running by January 2010.

 To learn more about the programs of New Directions Institute, visit www.newdirectionsinstitute.org.