How to Maximize Your Child's Brain Maturation and Growth
Our brains are constantly expanding, reorganizing and changing. As parents and teachers we can help our children maximize their brain’s growth, learning, and optimal “brain health”. During the past 30 years the research on the brain and neuroscience has exploded. This research has lead to strategies which improve learning and growth.
Growth and Learning
Through my many years in education, combined with the extensive research in learning and neuroscience, there seems to be three main areas or factors which are characteristics of successful learners:
Cognitive and Academic Growth
Having an understanding of your child’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, as well as their academic skills is critical in order to maximize brain growth and maturation. A comprehensive Psycho-educational/Learning Evaluation can help access how your child learns, processes, remembers and how their brain works. Cognitive strengths and weaknesses can be identified and strategies and programs can be recommended to encourage maximum brain growth. Children who have challenges will require the best intervention which will drive the brain’s organization through thousands of repetition. For 30 years the Tarnow Center has been on the “cutting edge” implementing intensive programs which are based on Neuro-scientific research which can change the “architecture” of the brain. The center offers Fast ForWord, Interactive Metronome, and Cogmed. These programs can improve learning, language, auditory processing, reading, working memory, processing speed, attention, timing and focus.
Hard Work and Effort
For quite some time our children have grown up in a “sticker” and “trophy” environment in which they are rewarded for just being there. The rapid growth in technology has further encouraged the need for this immediate gratification. In Dr. Carol Dwecks’ book, Mindset, The Psychology of Success, she provides numerous examples of the value of having a growth mindset in which “challenges help a person to grow”, and “effort and attitude determine ones abilities”. This in contrast to a “fixed mindset” in which “I’m either good at it or not”.
Parents and teachers can be instrumental in fostering a learning environment which creates a growth mindset and a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. Rather than praising our children for how smart they are or how talented they are, praise them for their growth, hard work, persistence, effort, and improvement. The messages about success should encourage the love of challenges. One should be intrigued by mistakes and enjoy effort and persistence. Parents and teachers should help their children learn from their failures and mistakes. Mistakes are an occasion for suggestions, strategies, teaching, and learning. Honest and constructive feedback can help a child’s growth. (“I feel sad when you didn’t take the time to study and learn.”)
Children who struggle with ADHD, a learning disability or dyslexia will need more support and strategies. Statements such as “I liked the effort you put into that. Let’s work together some more and figure out what you didn’t understand” or “Everyone learns in different ways, let’s keep trying to find a way which works for you”, “Your homework was so long and involved, you really stuck with it,” “You really studied for your test and your improvement shows it. You took notes and quizzed yourself, it really worked.”
The hard work and effort factor seems more important for success than one’s ability or talents. Learning needs to be difficult enough to challenge and engage the brain yet easy enough that it maintains interest. Providing a learning environment which is effortful, active, and experiential will create deeper insights and encourage brain growth.
Executive Functioning Skills
Parents can help their children learn to plan, initiate, persist and evaluate. Developing executive function skills are a critical factor in being successful and in achieving brain maturation. Children need to be taught strategies which help develop their organizational skills, time management and study strategies. Some children may need a more structured approach to learning executive functioning skills. The Tarnow Center, offers educational therapy to help students learn how to study more efficiently and to learn how to study more efficiently and to learn educational self-management skills.
Exercise and Brain Growth
Mounting neuro-science research indicates that physical exercise is as important if not more important than exercising cognitive skills.*
The brain profits significantly from physical exercise for it increases the productivity of neuro-chemicals that promote brain growth. It helps improve memory, lengthens attention span, boasts decision making skills, and prompts the growth of new nerve cells and blood vessels.
Exercise increases the release of norepinephrine which improves attention, perception and motivation. Dopamine is released improving motivation, learning, and focus. Serotonin is released and improves mood. The hippocampus, part of the brain which helps learning and memory, grows over time. Endorphins are released dulling the sensation of pain. The blood flow to the brain increases and delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the brain which improves waste removal.
Tablets, Smart phones, video games, computer games, YouTube, Netflix, social media, television and computers all compete with your child being active and exercising. Many parents are finding that limiting or having their children earn “electronic time” is helpful.
Research also shows that the brain is most efficient when it studies 20 to 40 minutes, then it needs to take a 5 to 10 minute break. Active exercise breaks will further enhance the brain’s ability to learn and focus.
Parents and teachers have such a critical role and opportunity to help their children’s brain grow, mature, and reach its optimal opportunity for success.
Suggested Reading and Resources
Mindset, The Psychology of Success, Carol S. Dweck
The Brain that Changes Itself, Norman Doidge
The Brains Way of Healing, Norman Doidge
The Organized Student, Donna Goldberg
What Smart Students Know: Maximum Grades. Optimum Learning. Minimum Time, Adam Robinson
* “Regular exercise changes the brain to improve memory and thinking Skills” – Heidi Godman, Harvard Medical School, is an excellent health blog which emphasizes the benefit of exercise.