LIFE IN FOCUS

Like stars are to the sky, so are the children to our world. They deserve to shine. -Chinonye J. Chidolue The developing brain is one of the busiest factories on the planet. While newborns spend most of their day sleeping, their brain is in active mode.  It's a construction site on par with no other, as synaptic connections are occurring at exponential rates.    Each brain cell (neuron) has anywhere between a few to hundreds of thousands of synaptic connections, and these connections can be with itself, neighboring neurons, or neurons in other regions of the brain. SYNAPSES MATTER!  Newborns develop brain connections through their everyday experiences, such as interacting with caregivers and taking notice of their environments. Engagement with babies is about having fun and following their lead. This creates the bond between baby and caregiver. Babies crave this connection, interaction and stimulation.  This leads us directly  into the brain and the develo...

EXPLORE TOGETHER GROW TOGETHER CONNECT As we are approaching Valentine's Day, this is an ideal time to reflect on your relationships.  Who matters to you? To whom do you matter?  What is the relationship you are currently having with yourself? Nurturing? Not so nurturing? Loving? Rejecting? Accepting? Critical? How are you showing up for yourself and to those who hold a deep and meaningful place in your heart?  What about your significant other? Your partner in life? How is this relationship  growing?  How much time is invested in feeding this relationship? What greater way is there to grow closer than to really get to know the person you are spending your time with and your life with?  Here are some questions I invite you to reflect upon:  What is my partner's secret desires? Who is my partner inspired by? What does my partner want me to know about our relationship? What are my partner's  aspirations? regrets? greatest and p...