Environmental and Chemical influences on Learning and Memory Perry M. Tackett Ashford University EDU417: Cognitive Studies Capstone (DFM1404A) Instructor: Joanna Savarese-Levine

The Basics The influence of environmental and chemical factors on a child’s learning and memory can be significant. The varied degrees of each factor can themselves be influenced by outside forces. These environmental and chemical factors can and do shape the way we think, perform, attain, retain, and learn information.

Neurotransmitters The brain has been recently described as being more complex than any other system in the universe. It is only natural that we consider the brain, along with all of its functions, the cornerstone of learning and memory. The major chemicals produced by our bodies that play vital roles in learning are dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters and their amounts help determine our response to different stimuli in our environment and how we retain information. It is also vital that as we age we should be willing to help improve our brain functions. Much like the other muscles in our body, our brain are on a “use it or lose it” basis.

Dopamine Dopamine helps to control conscious motor activity and enhance pleasurable feelings (Wolf, 2010). Throughout widespread pathways in the brain, dopamine is delivered throughout. Dopamine is most often delivered to the frontal lobes and hypothalamus parts of the brain. Dopamine acts much like a save button for the brain. When it is present during retaining memory, that memory is saved or stored. The information is often lost when dopamine is absent. Due to the increased dopamine production in our brain when we are interested in a topic, we are more likely retain information related to our interests. As educators and parents, we should make learning exciting and interesting to our children in order to increase dopamine levels and achieve more efficient results in learning. This is often times in the form of frequent hands-on and visual teaching rather than auditory teaching.

Serotonin We often refer to serotonin as the “feel good” transmitter. Much like dopamine it is a mood enhancer. Unlike other amines, serotonin can be observed calming a person’s mood rather than enhancing it. Individuals diagnosed with depression are often suffering from higher levels of serotonin productions. Memory, sleep, appetite, and regulation of body temperature are all effected by the level of serotonin in the body. Parents and educators should understand and be aware of the importance of serotonin. An individual’s serotonin level can effect how efficient the style of teaching is.

Acetylcholine Acetylcholine is best known for enhancing rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. It is also involved in the efficiency of our memory circuits. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will exhibit degenerative levels of this neurotransmitter. This chemical plays a vital role in new learning. By enhancing the activity of many cortical neurons, acetylcholine therefor can enhance memory. Acetylcholine is also used by the motor cortex and the sympathetic nervous system to control all muscle movements within the body.

Learning and Neuroplasticity We can not rely completely upon the body’s genetic coding in order to determine the responses of the brain and body. We must also consider all environmental factors. These, along with other factors, can determine the brain’s neuroplasticity. This refers to the change in neural pathways due to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, and sometimes bodily injury. Many experts and researchers suggest exercising our brains through mental challenges in order to increase neuroplasticity. Movement, sleep, nutrition, and technology can all effect learning and neuroplasticity.

Movement As parents and educators, we all understand that our children are better off when body movement is introduced to a teaching method. This is often why many students learn more efficiently when teaching strategies involve hands-on activities and forms of learning that enable them to interact physically and mentally. Movement enables children to become physically involved in a lesson while at the same time exercising both body and brain. When our bodies are healthy so are our brains. Limiting our children and student’s time in doors and promoting movement and exercise at school and home will help us achieve faster and more efficient results. Require kids to engage in outdoor activities and indoor activities such as treasure hunts and mind challenge games.

Sleep sleep facilitates neural maturation, thereby preparing the infants to process and explore the environment in increasingly sophisticated ways (Fifer, 2011). Human and even many animal studies have proven that sleep has a major effect on learning effectiveness and efficiency. When an individual and sleep deprived, it becomes harder for them to focus on topics being taught in the classroom and information that in being attained from the environment. Sleep deprivation leads to overworked neurons that are essential in learning and retaining new information. When these neurons are overworked, we lose focus and can not learn efficiently. Setting proper bed times for our children will enable them to achieve proper sleep goals, allowing our brains and bodies to recover from previous day stimulation.

Nutrition It has long been known that proper nutrition is essential to learning and memory. Proper nutrition supplies the body and brain with essential vitamins and minerals that promote the generation and regeneration of cells required for learning and memory. Breakfast is key. A well balanced breakfast supplies our bodies with fuel for the entire day. As we sleep, our brain activity slows, much like a fire deprived of wood. Breakfast adds fuel to the fire and prepares us for new information. We must continue to add fuel to our bodies in order to achieve proper chemical balance for our brains. Certain foods add nutrients to our bodies that inhibit the production of chemicals required for learning, memory, and neuroplasticity. Dietitians are can be very helpful in setting diet goals for our children. As parents, we should limit our child’s sugar intake and intake of other harmful chemicals.

Technology Advancements in technology have opened new doors for children of all ages. It offers children hands-on visual stimuli that often achieve optimal results. Children, especially young children, respond better to visual hands-on activities. This allows us as parents and educators to keep the focus levels of our children high and responsive. Technology has also enabled us to achieve effective and efficient results from all children. This includes many children that have been diagnosed with a disability. Hearing and visually impaired students are now able to learn much of the same material available to general education students. This was not possible in the past. As parents, we should be aware that not all technology is effective for teaching. We should limit our children’s time devoted to non- educational games such as many social media and game consoles, unless they are being used to enhance learning, memory, and neuroplasticity. Allow children to explore new technology.

Promote, Enhance, And Encourage Learning!!!!

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