Playing peek-a-boo and reading “Goodnight Moon” are not just fun activities you can do with children—they’re also simple tasks that can prepare them for success in school.

At Bates Technical College’s “Brain Series” on Thursday, April 26 Dr. Gina Lebedeva will discuss recent advances in brain research and the importance of early play, language and literacy in preparing children for school success.

The event will be held from  7-9 p.m. at the college’s South Campus auditorium, 2201 S. 78th Street, Tacoma.

Lebedeva, a translation, outreach and education specialist at the University of Washington Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, has worked as both a research scientist and a speech-language pathologist. This year’s Brain Series marks the 15th year Bates’ Home and Family Life department has brought experts in the field of child development to Pierce County for a free two-hour seminar, open to the public.

The Pierce County Public Library System, KBTC Public Television, and the Pierce County Association for the Education of Young Children sponsor this free event.

For more information, call 253.680.7511 or visit www. bates.ctc.edu/Family.