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The Brain Goes to School

The Brain Goes to School. David Walsh, Ph.D. www.DrDaveWalsh.com. CELL BODY. Synapses. Dendrites. Nucleus. Myelin sheath. AXON. Schwann cell. Node of Ranvier. Synaptic terminals. Neurons: Building Blocks of the Brain. 100,000,000,000 neurons at birth

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The Brain Goes to School

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  1. The Brain Goes to School • David Walsh, Ph.D. • www.DrDaveWalsh.com

  2. CELL BODY Synapses Dendrites Nucleus Myelin sheath AXON Schwann cell Node of Ranvier Synaptic terminals

  3. Neurons: Building Blocks of the Brain • 100,000,000,000 neurons at birth • Each has about 10,000 dendrites (branches) • 1,000,000,000,000,000 possible configurations • 17% of the neurons are wired at birth

  4. Twin Drivers • Genetics---”hard wiring” • Experience—”The neurons that fire together wire together.” • “Whatever the brain does a lot of is what the brain gets good at.”

  5. Brain’s Response to Threat • Brain’s first pri0rity is survival • Some brain circuits act as “interstates” • Response to threat is a hard wired “interstate.”

  6. Infant Response • Birth upsets the apple cart. • We outsource stress response to caregivers. • Eventually a mature cortex allows us to self regulate.

  7. Stress Response and Attachment • We humans outsource stress response calming. • We humans are wired to attach. • Attachment • Present • Attentive • Attuned • Responsive • Res

  8. Connection and Learning • Stress, anxiety, and threat shift brain activity from the cortex to lower brain regions. • This interferes with thinking, problem solving. • Cortisol interferes with memory. • Cortisol elevations affect memory encoding.

  9. The Lesson of Tom Cody • “My job is not to teach math. It’s to teach kids.”

  10. Importance of Connection in the Classroom • The most important minutes are before class. • “Four at the door” • Name • Eye • Hand • Heart

  11. The Bullied Brain: Victims Are More Likely to... • Be depressed and anxious • Be suicidal • Skip school • Have academic problems • Use drugs • Get in fights and carry weapons

  12. Bullied Kids Show... • As much damage as children abused by parents. • Damage is as great for verbal/emotional as it is for physical bullying. • Damage is long-term, even into adulthood.

  13. Intelligence Is What We Use when We Don’t Know What to Do-----Jean Piaget • Most of what the brain’s activity doesn’t involve thinking. • We avoid thinking although we do enjoy it when the conditions are right. • Novelty • Curiosity • Level of difficulty is just right

  14. Try This for the Next 30 Minutes

  15. Now Try This for 30 Minutes • 1+3=___ 4+5=___ 6+2=___ • 3+6=___ 2+2=___ 7+1=___ • 5+5=___ 2+5=___ 9+2=___ • 3-2=___ 8-4=___ 2-1=___ • 7-6=___ 5-4=___ 6-3=___ • 10-5=___ 4-3=___ 8-7=___

  16. The Sweet Spot of Difficulty • If the task is too hard, we give up. • If the task is too easy, we get bored. • Working on problems that are just right provides rewards, ie. dopamine. • Too easy or too hard doesn’t squirt dopamine.

  17. Exploring the Prefrontal Cortex

  18. The “CEO” of the Brain,The Prefrontal Cortex is Responsible for • Planning • Considering consequences • Reflection • Impulse Control • Stop, look, listen

  19. My problem is my lips move when I think. When the Prefrontal Cortex isn’t fully wired • Impulsive • Risk Taking • Disorganized • Distracted • Negative • Conflict Seeking

  20. Acceleration Center

  21. Hormones--Paul Reveres Chemicals • Testosterone • Estrogen • Progestersone • -

  22. Hypothalamus-Pituitary Pituitary Hypothalamus

  23. Hippocampus Amygdala

  24. Neurotransmitters • More than 100 neurotransmitters • Dopamine---”Happy” • Seratonin--”Stabilizer” • Norepinephrine--”Energizer”

  25. The Adolescent Brain: Gas pedal to the floor with brakes on back order.

  26. What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate

  27. Self discipline is twice as strong a predictor of academic success as intelligence.

  28. Discipline Deficit Disorder • Distracted • Impatient • Culture of disrespect • Unable to delay gratification • Unrealistic expectations • Entitled • Self centered

  29. Self-esteem is not a new concept • William James, 1890 • “The Principles of Psychology”

  30. The self-esteem “movement” • Nathaniel Branden, 1969 • “The Psychology of Self-Esteem”

  31. > 2,000 books on self-esteemBig money

  32. Self Esteem Myths • Myth 1. Self Esteem= Feeling Good • Myth 2. Praise from others and self builds self esteem. • Myth 3. Stress, challenge, and disappointment damage self-esteem.

  33. Praise = A Double Edged Sword

  34. Tips for Good Praise • Praise the effort more than the ability • Make praise specific not generic • Praise has to be sincere • Praise should be intermittent, not overdone

  35. What All Teens Need • Connection • Guidance • Love

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