First 1000 Days Suncoast Educates Parents on Early Childhood Development

July 13, 2022 – Sarasota

First 1,000 Days Suncoast is helping baby brains across the region grow and bloom by planting tiny seeds of education through their first and best teacher—their parents. More than 80% of the human brain develops in the first three years of a child’s life. Research shows that children who spend their early years in a language-rich environment with positive, loving interaction with adults have a better chance of being ready for school.  How prepared they are for school is increasingly viewed by experts in education and economics as a sign of how prosperous a community will be. 

“Parent education starts in healthcare,” says Pam Beitlich, Executive Director of Women & Children’s Services at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  “Because nurses see 99 percent of expecting and new parents during pregnancy and throughout a baby’s first year, nurses are perfectly positioned to empower parents with this information.” 

Designated as the backbone organization of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative, Sarasota Memorial Hospital Women & Children’s Services piloted a brain development education program at its Sarasota and Venice campuses through generous donations from Sarasota County Libraries and philanthropists.  This campaign was inspired by the innovative work done by the Studer Community Institute (SCI) in Pensacola, FL, which has educated more than 18,000 new parents on the benefits of talking, reading, singing, and playing with a baby to boost brain development. Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota and Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Venice now provide this critical information to parents through a brief video and Baby Steps Book developed by SCI. 

“We have been so impressed with the Sarasota Memorial Hospital team and how they have embraced SCI’s In-Hospital Early Brain Development program. The team quickly appreciated how important their role is in getting this vital information to the parents at the hospital and they have become the role model for implementation,” added Rachael Gillette, SCI President.

Since launching the pilot in October 2021, more than 2,700 new parents were educated and sent home with a brain development bag, which includes tools to track development and activities to do with their children. Parent feedback has been positive about the new educational focus on brain development. One mothers stated, “As a first time mom with little to no support the best part is the comfort it brings with knowledge.” This sentiment sums up the importance of the program, which empowers parents with knowledge to help them position their children on the best trajectory for their lives. 

Parent knowledge of the importance of talking to their children, on average, increased from 7.5 to 9.3 on a 10-point scale by watching the brief video before going home with their newborn. After watching the video, parents are encouraged to sign up for The Basics text messaging service, which sends two free age-appropriate developmental tips to parents each week. It also includes a children’s book donated by Sarasota County Libraries. 

Andrea Dictor, Youth Services Coordinator at Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, states, “As a parent of two little ones under five, I’ve seen firsthand how nurses, doctors, and hospital staff work to support bonds between newborns and parents. The offerings in the gift bags will nurture those connections far beyond their stay in the hospital.” 

First 1,000 Days has also successfully concluded its region-wide Plant, Grow, Bloom campaign. The campaign was used to promote initiative services while providing a fun bonding activity for families and increasing awareness about The Basics text messaging service. The First 1,000 Days team distributed 3,000 “grow kits” to parents and partner agencies in the community, including instructions, herb or flower seeds, soil, and pots for families to build their own garden. Other fun activities included working with children to create stone mosaic artwork at Easter Seals of Southwest Florida and herb garden planter materials for First Step of Sarasota’s Mothers and Infants program. 

First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative works with over 85 organizations in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties to ensure families have access to the tools, education, support, and resources they need to help newborns thrive and children achieve their potential. Since it was spearheaded by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation four years ago, initiative efforts have resulted in innovative solutions to best support parents and babies. Over the last year, many campaigns in partnership with local agencies have been launched to better support, educate, and empower parents as their child’s best teachers. 

Impacting the system at large by collaborating with numerous partner agencies to breakdown systemic barriers, First 1,000 Days is made possible by the generous donations from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Sarasota Memorial Health Care Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Peter & Elsa Soderberg Foundation, Manatee Community Foundation, Louis & Gloria Flanzer Trust, William G. & Marie Selby Foundation, and many individual donors.