We learned about sleep patterns and about the different amounts of sleep needed for children, adults and teenagers. The importance of drinking water and its effect on the brain was stressed and every table had pitchers of water and cups along with snacks and small toys. The toys were there to stimulate our brains and were the quiet kind such as play dough, bubbles, and yo-yo s that we could manipulate while still concentrating on what the speaker was saying. Virginia stressed that this works also with fidgety children who need something to do with their hands at story time. We learned how important touch, oxygen, diet and exercise are to keeping our brains in condition at any age.
Life long learning and interaction with other people is another key factor in brain fitness.
There are some excellent books as well as magazine articles and videos available on this subject. Most are available thorough the Cumberland Presbyterian Resource Center. This information is so important to the well being of our society that it behooves all of us to do what we can as Christians to inform parents, child care providers, educators, legislators, and anyone concerned with the welfare of children to see that everything possible is done to give our youngsters what they need in the very formative years of their lives. The workshops were very interesting and were presented on a rotating schedule, which kept group size down and encouraged individual participation. Don Nunn, Fran Vickers, Nancy Gillis, and Margaret McKee led us in inspiring devotionals and time of worship.