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GO GREAT START - Early Childhood Expo

BERGLAND - Did you know that we have 200 billion brain cells prior to birth and only 100 billion brain cells at birth? Well, evidently that’s just part of the amazing story of brain development in children. Just one of many interesting facts presented at Monday’s “Early Childhood Expo” held at the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District.

The Expo was hosted by the Gogebic-Ontonagon Counties Great Start Collaborative.

Deborah McNelis provided an “Early Brain Development” Presentation which focused largely on how poverty effects early brain development and how to have a positive impact in the early years. Of course the effects of poverty would not have been easily and simply distinguishable without providing basic information on childhood brain development as a whole.

Deborah says “It is my goal and passion to have everyone understand that experiences early in life have an impact on the developing brain. The good news is brain development isn't as complicated as it may sound.”
McNelis asks “ Do you know that you have the perfect chance to make a difference in the brain development of the children in your life or community? “

“Isn’t it wonderful to know that all of us have that opportunity?”

“Did you know that 85% of a baby's brain development will happen after birth? And do you realize that a great deal of the development will happen based on the experiences a child has in the early years? “

If by chance you’re one that didn’t know, you certainly would know after viewing Deborah’s presentation. While her facts may be basic for the many child care professionals gathered at the Expo, it wasn’t so basic for the rest of us. It was a real eye opener. To say that this presentation was informative would be a great understatement. If you ever have the opportunity to see this presentation in the future make sure to do so.

Deborah is the creator/owner of braininsights®. She is an author, speaker, educator and parent. Her passion is to achieve the best possible outcome for all children. This focus started early and has not wavered.

It is Deborah's belief that every child has great potential that can be developed when we have an understanding of how children's brains develop. Deborah has devoted her life to providing programs and materials that create this awareness for parents and educators.

Deborah has taught kindergarten, and pre-school. She has also created an innovative community based program called, Family Network. This service provided information and resources to parents and educators by pulling the entire community together in support of the needs of families. She has been the coordinator of a family literacy program that provided high school completion and English as a second language, early childhood education and parent education, for in-need families. This included creating a jail parent program, a home tutoring program, and an at-risk teens parenting program.

She taught in the early childhood associate degree program for several years and most recently has, as the early childhood specialist for the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, provided numerous presentations on brain development.

The program was sponsored by the GOISD in Bergland, just one of the many services provided through the GOISD. Allison Liddle is the GSC Coordinator, and she may be contacted at the GOISD:

P.O. Box 218
202 Elm Street
Bergland, MI 49910
906-575-3438 Ext. 25
Fax 906-575-3373
aliddle@goisd.org