www.stanford.edu/group/hopes/basics/braintut/ab1.html

A guided tour of the human brain and its parts from Stanford University.

http://www.developingchild.net

National Scientific Council, Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University.
Chair:  Jack P. Shonkoff

This site has reliable scientific articles, reports and research. (more…)

Dan Siegel is the Director of the Centre for Human Development in Los Angeles and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine.

This DVD is a three hour edited version of Professor Siegel’s last seminar in Auckland, NZ, in which he presented the most up-to-date clinical findings in brain development.
Although containing much technical information, he delivers this in a wonderfully clear and easy to understand method. 

Cost: $55 incl. GST and P&P.
To order email brainwavetrust@xtra.co.nz or phone/fax 09 5283985.

This short video is ideal to slot into any meeting involved with child development or to include in a training programme.
Presented by Judy Bailey, it is an excellent introduction to early brain development and its implications for society.  Attention is paid to the flow-on effects into adolescence of experiences in the first three years of life.
12 minutes in length.

Cost: $25 incl. GST, P&P. 
To order email brainwavetrust@xtra.co.nz or phone/fax 09 5283981.

The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds is a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics, intended as guidance for the clinician in rendering pediatric care.  It is written by Kenneth R. Gindberg, MD, MSEd and the Committee on Communications and the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. 

Abstract 
Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social & emotional well-being of children and youth.  Play also offers an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children.  Despite the benefits derived from play for both children and parents, time for free play has been markedly reduced for some children.  This report addresses a variety of factors that have reduced play, including a hurried lifestyle, changes in family structure and increased attention to academics and enrichment activities at the expense of recess or free child-centered play.  This report offers guidlelines on how pediatricians can advocate for children by helping families, school systems and communities consider how best to ensure that play is protected as they seek the balance in children’s lives to create the optimal developmental milieu.

The full report is linked below:

importanceofplay.pdf