Brain and Learning—Part 1  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Brain References

Brain Benders  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc H E A D EYESEYEYES U SES IM ORPPANTING PUP STORYSTORY EXPECTATIONS ECNALG NEVER

Similar & Different  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Human brains are more alike than they are different – but like fingerprints, each brain is slightly different (brain scans) No two brains have been, are, or will ever be identical in structure, function, or perception— not even in brains of identical twins!—because every thought you think changes your brain and no one ever thinks identical thoughts Science doesn’t really know HOW the brain learns but it definitely learns – and each learns differently

Brain Maturation Impacts Learning  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc There are learning windows that need to open for some types of learnings to occur The brain matures from the back to the front and takes longer than body maturation—the body can procreate long before the brain can make a valid decision about doing so... make life-impactful decisions with care prior to mid-twenties at least

Maturation Differences  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc There can be 2-3 years difference in maturation levels between brains of a similar chronological age... The male brain may take up to 1.6 years longer to mature—a later onset of puberty allows for longer pruning of the corpus callosum so that is has fewer neuronal axons of smaller diameter, giving it two somewhat independent brains

Pre-Frontal Cortex Maturation Human prefrontal cortex doesn't fully develop until after age 20 ― Daniel J. Levitin PhD Prefrontal cortex may be done by the mid to late 20s

Hemisphere Bridges  Arlene R. Taylor PhD The brain takes much longer than the body to mature—neuronal axons must be wrapped with insulation (myelin)— think fiber optics or brain asphalt Several bridges connect the brain hemispheres (e.g., anterior commissure and corpus callosum) so the right hand knows what the left is doing and so you can cross the mid-line of the body

Corpus Callosum  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Myelination of the brain’s largest hemisphere bridge (corpus callosum) may be done by age Prior to that the brain is at risk for intermittent ‘malfunctions’ (‘shorting out’ or ‘brain hiccups’) due to incomplete myelination Think patches of unpaved road or potholes...

Brain Learns by Watching  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc By beholding or watching, your brain becomes changed Brain ‘mirror neurons’ in the prefrontal cortex fire when you perform an action or exhibit a behavior AND when you watch another’s behavior Depending on what you watch (observe) this can be desirable or undesirable...

Picture Success  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Watching yourself doing the new behavior in your mind’s eye can speed learning Real piano practice for 2 hours a day for 7 days reshaped the brain’s motor cortex Imagining playing (2 hours a day for 7 days) caused the same reshaping

Who You Hang Out With Matters  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Mirror neurons make no judgment regarding desirable versus undesirable behaviors They simply are quick to mirror and mimic the behaviors of the people with whom you associate on a regular basis Close contact between people spreads behaviors and habits

Choose With Care  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Choose carefully what you do during your discretionary time and the people with whom you associate Within three years you are at high risk for picking up the behaviors of those you hang out with, especially:  Happiness  Health  Smoking cessation  Obesity (and longevity which is related to both health and obesity)

Through Physical Movement  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Humans need to be not only permitted but also encouraged to stand up and to move around Studies of adolescents:  50% needed extensive movement while learning  25% needed occasional movement  25% needed at least some movement

Optimizes the Brain  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc The brain is activated during physical movement, which helps to optimize its performance Just standing up creates more attentional arousal Increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain by 10-15% Can speed up the processing of information by 5-20%.

Some MUST Move to Learn …  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Extroverts 15-16% Ambiverts 68-70% Introverts 15-16% Relatively sleepy brains that need and crave stimulation Relatively super alert brains

Some MUST Move …  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Empathizing Brain - Equated more with female brains Brains Systemizing Brain - Equated more with male brains Stop asking boys to “Look at me when I’m talking to you...” It’s stressful! They typically listen better when they’re doing some activity with their hands.

Some MUST Move …  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc 20% Auditory – more females How things sound 60% Visual – more males How things look 20% Kinesthetic – equal #s M-F How things feel Sensory Preference Estimates

Learns by Reading Aloud  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Reading aloud can help you get more out of your reading, reinforce your speaking ability at the same time, and increase your level of retention and recall because you see, articulate, and hear PET Scans have shown dramatically increased stimulation to the brain during reading aloud

The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading (silent or aloud) is reading aloud to children at home and in the classroom It is deemed more important than book reports, worksheets, homework, assignments, and flashcards ―Jim Tralese, Reading Aloud Handbook Learns by Being Read To  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc

Brain Learns by Sleeping  Arlene R. Taylor PhD Realizations Inc Each brain has an optimum sleep requirement If the brain doesn’t get what it needs, it will fail to consolidate what you learn and move it into long-term memory Sleep is independently linked with longevity...

This seminar is designed to present information related to the brain and learning including the following:  Brain maturation rates  Contribution of 'mirror neurons'  Effectiveness of role-modeling  Learning from who you hang out with  Link between learning and movement (EAI)  Impact of sensory preference  Self-talk style  Importance of 1-step versus 2-step instructions  Active and virtual rehearsal

The brain will learn. Whether or not it learns what you wish it would learn is another story. SEMINAR DESCRIPTION  What gets into long-term memory most quickly  Downshifting in the presence of fear (punishment)  Impact of reward-punishment on learning  Need for sleep to consolidate memories  Breakfast to boot up the brain along with good nutrition  Water as the beverage of choice The information--turned into knowledge and practically applied--can help your brain learn more easily and can assist you in being more savvy when you want to help other brains learn.