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. 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. 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 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.

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