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How does the brain develop

Hands-On is Brains-On b y Janelle Durham, MSW Parent Educator at Bellevue College www.gooddayswithkids.com. How does the brain develop. How does the brain develop. Neurons are brain cells A baby has as many as an adult: 100 billion In nature vs. nurture, this is nature – the raw material

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How does the brain develop

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  1. Hands-On is Brains-Onby Janelle Durham, MSWParent Educator at Bellevue Collegewww.gooddayswithkids.com

  2. How does the brain develop

  3. How does the brain develop • Neurons are brain cells • A baby has as many as an adult: 100 billion • In nature vs. nurture, this is nature – the raw material • Few connections, mostly in brain stem

  4. How does the brain develop

  5. How does the brain develop • Synapses are connections between neurons • By age 3: 500 trillion • In nature vs. nurture, this is nurture • Connections built through experience: novelty • 5 Senses

  6. Learning in Process - Novelty • Share an A-Ha! Moment

  7. How does the brain develop? • Myelination – insulated nerve fibers transmit quickly • Built with Repetition. Reinforced during sleep. • Sleep matters! So does nutrition! • Avoid overstimulation

  8. Learning in Process - Repetition • Share a story of repetition to mastery

  9. How does the brain develop? • Emotional Context of Learning • If frightened or stressed – adrenaline - survival mode • Can’t learn, except how to avoid threat • If feel loved and safe – oxytocin – neuro-plasticity – open to learning and will want to repeat • What does this tell you about effective discipline?

  10. Summary: Keys to Brain Development • Novelty • Repetition • Down Time • Feeling Safe and Happy

  11. What activities do kids need to learn?

  12. Direct Instruction / “Teaching” • Teacher (or Parent) Led • Add information and skills to database • Builds crystallized intelligence

  13. Direct Instruction / “Teaching” • Some skills just need to be taught • Parent teaches skill, then fades back as the child masters it • Great for specialized skills: gymnastics classes, violin lessons... • Good for academic basics

  14. Guided Play • Teacher creates an environment full of learning opportunities – “play-based” • Child decides what to do and how long • Teacher/parent is nearby but notinterfering • Balance of child-led and teacher-led

  15. Guided Play: Role of the Teacher/Parent • Set Designer: “invitation to play” • Stage Manager: Get tools, keep it tidy. • Observer. Reflect excitement. • Ask questions. “What would happen if…” • Mediator: Help resolve conflicts and Interpreter: Help children understand other children • Participant in play: You follow their lead. Don’t try to make the game your own. • Project-based (Reggio Emilia) • Scaffolding: Help move to next level

  16. Ask Questions to Extend Learning

  17. Guided Play: Role of the Teacher/Parent • Set designer: “invitation to play” • Stage Manager: Get tools, keep it tidy. • Observer. Reflect excitement. • Ask questions. • Mediator: Help resolve conflicts and Interpreter: Help children understand other children • Participant in play: You follow their lead. Don’t try to make the game your own. • Project-based (Reggio Emilia) • Scaffolding: Help move to next level

  18. Free Play • Child Led • Process, Not Product • Creative • Spontaneous • Fun

  19. What About Play: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjoG6tMq9ZU

  20. Learning Benefits of Free Play • Fluid intelligence • Physical competence • Self-direction • Problem-solving • Language skills • Creativity • Conflict resolution skills • Emotional intelligence • Symbolic play • Better memory • Reduced stress

  21. Rest, Solitude, Boredom • Need down time to reinforce synapses • Need solitude (esp. introverts) • Avoid over-stimulation • Boredom leads to creativity

  22. Summary: What do kids need to learn? • Novelty and Repetition • To feel safe and happy • Balance of Direct Instruction, Guided Play, Free Play, and Rest • Hands-on Experiences with all 5 senses engaged

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