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Caregiver Handouts: Games and Activities that Build Brains and Executive Function Skills

Here you’ll find handouts with suggestions for games and activities to do with children of different ages. They can be shared at well child visits or when caregivers are looking for support with behavior. These activities can promote child-caregiver bonding, executive function skills, and build children’s brains through play.

Handout

Executive Function: Information for Providers

This handout helps explain what executive function skills are, why they are important and how supporting their development can promote healthy child and adolescent development.

Third Party Link

How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers

How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers…

Third Party Link

A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains

This page contains a collection of resources about the concept of “serve and return” interactions. It includes an introduction to the basics of serve and return and the science behind it and includes videos that can be shared with caregivers about how serve and return interactions build brains. For…

Reading

Building Core Capabilities for Life

Third Party Link

Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change

Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change…

Working Paper

Maternal Depression Can Undermine the Development of Young Children

This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child and the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs examines why addressing the consequences of serious depression in parents and caregivers could support the future prosperity and well-being of both children and society as a whole.

Working Paper

Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain

Working Paper

Persistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Children’s Learning and Development

Working Paper

The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain

Working Paper

Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships

Working Paper

Children’s Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of their Brain

Working Paper

Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain Architecture

Working Paper

The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture

Working Paper

Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development

Working Paper

Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined

Brief

InBrief: Understanding the Science of Motivation

Working Paper

Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation

Brief

InBrief: Executive Function: Skills for Life and Learning

Working Paper

Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive Function

Working Paper

Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience

This working paper from the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child explains how supportive relationships with adults help children develop resilience, or the set of skills needed to respond to adversity and thrive.