New parenting class teaches how to optimize children’s brain development

Growing up, Stacey Mollison, a Birmingham mother-of-two, overcame a learning disability to become an elementary school teacher.

She spent 21 years teaching in Farmington Public Schools before taking a leave of absence to co-create and launch Simply Smart START!, an educational tool designed to teach parents of children ages 0 to 5, how to raise their child’s IQ and academic success through conversation and vocabulary-building.

The first of this three-part weekly series, offered by Beaumont Health, launches Feb. 23 at the PNC Center in Troy, located at 755 West Big Beaver, Troy, MI 48084, classroom 7. Future series will be held April 20, 27, May 4 and Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2. Per couple cost is $120 and includes print and digital (video) materials on a jump drive.   

Expectant parents, parents and grandparents of babies and children, newborn to 5-years-old, are invited to enroll.

“Children’s brain development and entire pool of success is established within the first 3-5 years of life,” said Mollison, adding that her program is research-based and developed by four local educators. “The amount of words a child knows by the age of 3 is largely indicative of their overall accomplishment.”

The idea for the program, Mollison said, came from noticing the commonalities between successful children and their parents in the classroom. She was further driven to share what she learned after seeing literacy skills build through early play and reading in her own children.

“These strategies, which we’ve made easy for parents to incorporate during meal time, bath time and bed time, become even more essential as our world becomes increasingly technology-based,” Mollison said. “Neither computer programs nor educational television teach brain and language development.  Real people do.”

As part of the class, parents will learn:

• The five most effective strategies to teach children specific skills for a strong start in school and life.
• Easy ways to build skills during daily routines at home.
• How to play and what to say to positively influence your child’s brain development.

“Stacey is a volunteer in our Beaumont Children’s parenting program, and a knowledgeable, animated and compassionate presenter besides,” said Mary Anne Kenerson RN, coordinator, Community Health Education. “We are pleased to offer this exciting educational program to Beaumont patients and our community.”

To register on line: https://classes.beaumont.org or call the Beaumont Scheduling Center 800-633-7377.