Words Are Food
For A Baby’s Brain

“The Build a Brain program is designed to address health disparities. We know that every family should have access to information about language development.”

– Dr. Andrea Horeby, pediatrician, HCA Palms West

“Your child’s brain grows the fastest during these first three years of life. So, simple things such as talking, singing, reading, playing with your baby can help promote deep brain development.”

– Registered Nurse, Alexis Pastor, Norman Regional Hospital

“With the knowledge that 85 percent of a baby’s brain is being built in their first three years, we should be teaching parents — who are their child’s first teacher — how important their role is in early brain development.”

– Richie Splitt, President and CEO of Norman Regional Hospital

“I’ve been telling with Wiz (my baby), he’s just been growing and growing so fast, and I have noticed a difference between him and my other two children, with me interacting more with having more time to be with him.”

– Dee Dee, Mother, Pensacola

“It’s really reassuring to learn how easy it is for the brain development. Just talk and be proactive with the baby. It’s nice to know that that’s developing the brain like that. That video helped a lot for me.”

– Craig, Father, Pensacola

“One of the best tips was to constantly communicate with my daughter. She’s so young, I didn’t think that she would even comprehend. But, little did I know she is learning, so you have to keep communicating with her.”

– Ivory, Father, Pensacola

“It helped a lot knowing that it’s the right thing to do and having the data and the studies behind it. I know that I’m doing things in the first three years of life to set her up for success. So, it helped and it still continues to help.”

– Bonnie, Mother, Pensacola

“I learned that the more you respond to the cries, it could change the outcome as they get older. We have older kids and this wasn’t available back then. I think it would have helped us develop their brains better.”

– Jerry, Father, Pensacola

“I realize how much we can help teachers from the start if we get the parents to recognize how important it is to talk, sing and read to their baby in a positive tone even before they’re talking back to them.”

– Catherine, Labor & Delivery Nurse, Baptist Hospital

“We can educate them here, but sometimes you’re overwhelmed having given birth and being inundated with all this information. So having them to go home with it, we can teach them, the video is a wonderful tool.”

– Micheline, Labor & Delivery Nurse, HCA Florida West Hospital

“I believed in it so much that SCI was the first group I met once they appointed me interim superintendent because I just think it’s pivotal. We know that from birth to age three is the most important years for a student.”

– Keith Leonard, Interim Superintendent, Escambia County School District

“This is not something that we’re guessing is a good thing for our community. There are so many amazing domino effects that come with investing in our children, especially in early childhood brain development.”

– D.C. Reeves, Pensacola Mayor

“No matter the circumstances of their life, no matter the situation, parents are able to help their child, able to create a better life for them, and that’s why I love this program.”

– Donte Sheppard, Building Brains Program Manager, SCI