Sementes Brilhantes: Glaucia Maciel uses sensory stimulation technology for babies
Glaucia Maciel is the name behind a multi-disciplinary educational technology for sensory stimulation in early childhood, called Sementes Brilhantes (Bright Seeds). The initiative is being used on more than 100 children in three different childcare facilities supported by Nampur in the south of Bahia. The sensory methodology has already been tested and proven to be effective in vulnerable communities in the city of São Paulo, and is funded by the Bill Gates Foundation as part of a challenge to "save children's brains." The confirmation was accompanied by the University of Harvard, the University of São Paulo (USP), and the Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation.
"A solution that engages educators aimed at properly stimulating children in the first 1,000 days, which can improve their futures. It is a social equality project, but also one of empowerment for the caregivers and educators who do the training."
The method of empowerment has a social impact with lessons for multiplier agents and a kit of toys that meets the demands of the project. During the pandemic, Nampur invested in technology so that the course could be done online, as well as guaranteeing access to support material and the toys for the children. "We filmed it in my house with children I recruited. There are six lessons, a total of four hours, in which each educator, nanny, or mother can understand the basics of neuroscience, the importance of stimulation, neuropedagogy, and how to set up a stimulating space, as well as the concepts of infant development, psychomotricity, and art and music activities," she says.
To guarantee certification, the project applies tests over the Internet and also counts on live coaching, where it is possible to give instructions and answer any doubts the new trainees have. Within the platform, these agents send videos of the activities being practiced and receive feedback. "Within the module, we visit Trancoso and the region every six months to certify the educators and check whether the work is being well executed." When 26 agents recently completed the training there was a lecture, Q&A session, and practical activities.
History
"It's the only scientifically proven educational technology for brain development. Parents know, intuitively, that any stimulation, like playing ball with the child, helps the baby's development. The charm of this age group is seeing that, in three months, it has an enormous impact."
A Business Administration graduate, Glaucia spent 15 years working in the corporate world, where she worked in marketing for different companies until her pregnancy, aged 40, made her leave her job to dedicate herself to her baby. She flew to Harvard while still pregnant in order to take a summer course on neuroscience to better understand how to care for the child's education. "I discovered from the information that 80% of the brain is formed within the first 1000 days of life. Which, 20 years ago, was a shock," she recalls. Some people, in São Paulo, have a nanny and go back to work after pregnancy, and there is insufficient stimulation in the day care centers.
That was when she created Steps Baby Lounge, 18 years ago in the city of São Paulo, with the idea of passing on activities using this technology so that parents, family members, or the nanny could work on the different modalities that complement one another at home. "When a baby arrived, I had five specialists, including neuroscientists, nutritionists, psychologists, teachers, and specialists in yoga and music," she remembers. At the time, it attracted lots of children with special needs and the centers worked with up to 35 students. This methodology accompanied children in the first five years of life. Glaucia sold her part of the school in order to fully dedicate herself to the social project.