Useful Resources for Early Years Workforce

The Brain Story Certification

Brain Story Certification is a free, fully accredited 19 module, in-depth course of 20 hours online learning for professionals interested in the scientific underpinnings of the Brain Story. Learn from leading experts about the science and signifigance of early experieces and their impact on lifelong health. The course offers: Videos of over 30 leading experts in neurobiology and mental health and a certification of completion. Each module takes approximately 60 minutes to complete and is self-paced. On completion of each module there are a few multiple choice questions to complete.

This course was developed by the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative and is open to everyone.

Go to the Brain Story Certification course

You can now claim your very own Brain Story badge on completion on the course by emailing OWD@blackpool.gov.uk. Wear it on your lapel or lanyard with pride.

Brain Story Certification Badge

Saving Brains video – Harvard University Centre on the Developing Child

A partnership led by Grand Challenges Canada, Saving Brains seeks to improve outcomes for children living in poverty through interventions that nurture and protect early brain development in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. The Center on the Developing Child is part of a team that supports a dynamic learning community of Saving Brains innovators to help them advance the impact and scale of their work in countries around the world.

Watch the Saving Brains video

Brain Architecture – Alberta Family Wellness Initiative

Brain architecture is a key starting place for understanding the story of early brain development and its consequences for lifelong health. Early positive or negative experiences can change the structure and function of our brains; that concept sets the stage for understanding our role as a community in helping kids achieve better lifelong health.

Learn more about brain architecture

Journey to Resilience – Alberta Family Wellness Initiative

In a world where human brains inch across snowy landscapes, where perils lurk in every shadow, one community will rally behind a struggling brain—and just might change the world in the process. Learn about the resilience scale in this scientifically rigorous (and cinematically epic) video created by the AFWI in consultation with the FrameWorks Institute and the Harvard Center on the Developing Child.

Begin the Journey To Resilience

The Core Story – Brain Builders – Alberta Family Wellness Initiative

The AFWI is pleased to present the core story of brain development in an accessible and visually engaging format for public audiences. The AFWI developed the video with considerable input from our partners at the Harvard Center on the Developing Child and the FrameWorks Institute. Using metaphors developed by FrameWorks and tested with audiences both in the US and in Alberta, “How Brains are Built” infuses core story concepts with energy, accessibility, and high fidelity to the science.

Watch The Core Story

Mums and Babies In Mind: Tools and Resources

The following tools have been developed by the Mums and Babies in Mind team for leaders working in perinatal mental health including: maternity services and GPs, commissioning, health visiting, midwifery, FNP, specialist perinatal mental health services, community and children’s services, adult mental health services, CAMHS and the voluntary and community sector.

Access the tools and resources here

Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University – Multimedia Resources

The Center on the Developing Child strives to present information, especially scientific information, in a way that is accessible to a wide range of users. Among a range of multimedia resources is The Brain Architects, a new expert led podcast which explores the science of early childhood development and how practitioners who work with children can apply it to their everyday work. Take a look below:

Learn more about The Centre on the Developing Child and their work

Ecorys

www.ecorys.com/global

Warwick Consortium:

warwick.ac.uk

Upcoming events for Early Years Workforce

Train the Trainer – Brain Architecture Game

8th January 2025 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Engaging Dads Training (online)

13th January 2025 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Engaging Dads Training (online)

13th January 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Train the Trainer – Brain Architecture Game

28th January 2025 @ 9:30 am - 3:30 pm