By engaging with and educating each other about the importance of the first three years, we give all New Zealand children the opportunity to reach their potential. 

A baby’s brain is unique and precious.  The way it develops will determine who he or she will become.  Genes may establish a child’s potential, however it is day-to-day experiences that will help the child to fulfil that potential.

At birth the baby’s brain is only 15% developed.  Most of a baby’s brain development actually occurs after the birth - in the first three years of life.  It is the child’s experiences during these years that enable the brain to grow.  In particular, it is relationally-rich experiences which provide children with the ‘brain-food’ they need to grow into happy, secure and well functioning adults.  Poor experiences during this time can have lasting negative effects on a child’s brain…and who they can become.

Brainwave is a charitable trust set up to use the scientific research on brain development to enable children in New Zealand to reach their full potential and to improve their wellbeing as well as that of the families and communities they are a part of.

Please explore this site - we’re putting together a fascinating selection of articles and resources.  Above all, we warmly welcome you, and invite you to make a difference!  Our email is brainwavetrust@xtra.co.nz and our postal address is P O Box 55206, Mission Bay, Auckland 1744.

Judy Bailey, one of Brainwave’s founding members, a current Trustee, Committe Member & Presenter is  featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly March 2008 issue.

The article is entitled “Judy Bailey, Mum’s the Word”.  AWW’s Karen Burge tells why the well-loved newsreader has become a poster girl for positive parenting.

Here are some quotes and passages from the article:

Stepping away from television has not so much meant “retirement” as a chance to move ahead with the work that drives her - a passion to ensure all New Zealand children start life with “someone who is madly in love with them”.

Jude is intensely involved with the Brainwave Trust which raise public awareness about how a child’s experiences in the first three years of life affect their brain development and future.”

read more…

Brainwave has produced four different publications: 

1. Our  five page fold-out pamphlet “The First Years of Life Last Forever”
2. Our fifteen page booklet  “Build a Lifetime in the first three years”
3. Pamphlet “Seeing, Hearing & Feeling Violence”, produced by Brainwave for MSD
4. Pocket card “Family Violence Can Harm Your Child for Life”, produced by Brainwave for MSD

 These first two are available from Brainwave.   We will send the pamphlet out free, but for large numbers would appreciate help towards the postage costs.  If you require more than 10 booklets, we ask for help towards our costs of 25c each, plus postage & packing costs.  They can be sent out with an invoice for payment.  Just send an email with your postal details to sandie@brainwave.org.nz  

The last two are available free from the MSD website or use these links.  Choose the one for your area, fill in the details of what you require (I have highlighted our publications) & email the form to violencefree@familyservices.govt.nz or fax the form to 04 9172080.

 FVIP Resources North -Central- BOP
FVIP Resources East Coast - Wltgn
FVIP Resources South

The Christchurch Brainwave team are busy preparing for a very exciting fundraising event to be held at the Dean’s family farm in Darfeild on Sunday, 17th February.

Mini Day Out is a concept that was initiated on the principle of fun, frolic and fundraising in a relaxed, rural setting “good times for a good cause”. Go along and have a wonderful day while supporting Brainwave Christchurch.

Please click on the link to the mini day out website & find out all the details about this event.
http://www.minidayout.co.nz/

Brainwave releases Issue 6 of our newsletter!

You can view or download it here:  newsletter_6_web.pdf