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Handout
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.
![Caregiver Handouts: Games and Activities that Build Brains and Executive Function Skills](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/iStock-toddlerchore1.jpg)
![Staying Active for Caregivers Handout](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/iStock-stayingactive.jpg)
![Value of Routines for Caregivers Handout](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/iStock-routine.jpg)
![100 Ways to Bond with your Child Handout](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/larry-crayton-hOiDpAZ8Pok-unsplash-scaled.jpg)
![Positive Parenting Handout](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AdobeStock_328877754-scaled.jpg)
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…
![How to Motivate Children: Science-Based Approaches for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
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…
![A Guide to Serve and Return: How Your Interaction with Children Can Build Brains](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![Building Core Capabilities for Life](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-reading.jpg)
Brief
InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health
This brief summarizes essential scientific findings from the Center publications, “The Foundations of Lifelong Health Are Built in Early Childhood”.
![InBrief: The Foundations of Lifelong Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
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.
![Maternal Depression Can Undermine the Development of Young Children](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP8.jpg)
![InBrief: The Science of Early Childhood Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![InBrief: The Impact of Early Adversity on Children’s Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP3.jpg)
![Persistent Fear and Anxiety Can Affect Young Children’s Learning and Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP9.jpg)
![InBrief: The Science of Neglect](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
Working Paper
The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain
![The Science of Neglect: The Persistent Absence of Responsive Care Disrupts the Developing Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP12.jpg)
![InBrief: Applying the Science of Child Development in Child Welfare SystemsÂ](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP1.jpg)
![Children’s Emotional Development is Built into the Architecture of their Brain](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP2.jpg)
![Early Exposure to Toxic Substances Damages Brain ArchitectureÂ](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP4.jpg)
![The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP5.jpg)
![Early Experiences Can Alter Gene Expression and Affect Long-Term Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP10.jpg)
Working Paper
Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined
![Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health Are Deeply Intertwined](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP15.jpg)
![InBrief: Understanding the Science of Motivation](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
Working Paper
Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation Â
![Understanding Motivation: Building the Brain Architecture That Supports Learning, Health, and Community Participation Â](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP14.jpg)
![InBrief: Executive Function: Skills for Life and LearningÂ](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
Working Paper
Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive FunctionÂ
![Building the Brain’s “Air Traffic Control” System: How Early Experiences Shape the Development of Executive FunctionÂ](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP11.jpg)
![InBrief: The Science of Resilience](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
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.
![Supportive Relationships and Active Skill-Building Strengthen the Foundations of Resilience](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WP13.jpg)
Third Party Link
Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class
Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class…
![Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
Third Party Link
Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It
Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It…
![Stress and Resilience: How Toxic Stress Affects Us, and What We Can Do About It](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![Toxic Stress Derails Healthy Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Image-1.jpg)
![How Children and Adults Can Build Core Capabilities for Life](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-5.43.49-PM.jpg)
![InBrief: Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-brief.jpg)
![FrameWorks: Framing the Overload Metaphor](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-infographics.jpg)
![5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![What We Can Do About Toxic Stress](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![What Is Inflammation? And Why Does It Matter for Child Development?](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![How Racism Can Affect Child Development](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![Epigenetics and Child Development: How Children’s Experiences Affect their Genes](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-teal-infographics.jpg)
![ACEs and Toxic Stress: Frequently Asked Questions](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)
![What is Executive Function? And How Does it Relate to Child Development?](https://pediatrics.developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/icon-purple-infographics.jpg)