You’ve got the power to change everyday moments into brain-building ones! That’s the idea behind a project created by the NSPCC called Look Say Sing Play. Emma Motherwell from the NSPCC came to talk at our latest volunteer support session (VSS) about how they might use the ideas.
The project aims to show parents with children aged 0-2 (and sometimes older) how simple interactions with your baby can help to build their brains and their resilience. It’s all based around easy, no-cost play ideas that anyone can use.
All of the play suggestions are accompanied by a ‘science bit’ which explains how it contributes to brain development. Emma talked through some fascinating ideas behind the scheme using some helpful metaphors including ‘serve and return’: thinking about your interactions with baby like a game of tennis, going back and forth – take a cue from them and respond to what they do. And ‘air traffic control’: thinking of the brain as an air traffic controller with many planes to control and land, as a way of understanding the different demands on the brain. Some planes being easier to land than others!
Volunteer Karen McVean said: “I was very impressed with the session, it was so helpful and full of simple ideas that are really good, and that you don’t need any equipment or resources for. It’s really worth looking at. I’ve been doing this type of thing for a long time but it gave me loads of ideas and was a bit of a refresher course. I’m definitely going to use what I learned and talk to the mum I’m supporting about what she can do and encourage her to try it out.”
There are lots of ideas and resources online (in English and Welsh) and you can sign up for weekly emails to get expert tips tailored to your baby’s age at Look, Say, Sing, Play – Brain-building tips | NSPCC
Videos can be found on the Look Say Sing Play YouTube channel: Look, Say, Sing, Play – YouTube
A big thank you to Emma for her fascinating presentation.