What’s happening in their heads? An introduction to some neuroscience behind SEAL

Revisiting Learning What is learning? How do we learn? What role does emotion play?

NEO CORTEX LIMBIC BRAIN The ‘Thinking’ Brain Left Right Words Creativity Patterns Sequences Imagination Analysis Whole picture LIMBIC BRAIN The ‘Feeling’ Brain Five senses Emotional Memory Context REPTILIAN BRAIN The ‘Survival’ Brain Basic body systems Desire to avoid harm Whats happening in the brain? Explore 3 parts and their roles Activity to ilustrate RH LH brain (IKEA cupboard) Do as continuum Feeling brain and seeing a snake story. (Or Ships example) Use stress as an example. Use flip to show relationship between Thinking and Feeling and Survival. Add test tube visuals Use story of being followed Then equate this to a pupils journey to school

Processing learning The role of the cortex Right or left? Or both?

The Role of the Limbic System Senses Thalamus Hippocampus Amygdala Hypothalamus Cortical lobes

The importance of PFC Pre Frontal Cortex …or this bit ‘ere

Birth to three matters From birth to three years a child learns an amazing array of social and emotional skills. Interactions at this age actually builds brain networks in the PFC. Add wall NS set and debrief task Wall = bottom layer 0-8months: layer 1 8 -18 months: top layer 18months – 3 years

Teenage brain Hormones alone are not responsible! Pruning at this age is similar to changes in infant brains Frontal lobe is a hot bed of activity and bears little resemblance to a child or adults brain The amygdala is used to guide responses more than the frontal lobes

Emotional States Fear Joy Sadness Disgust Surprise Anger

Learner stress Snakes, spiders and sabre tooth tigers..... … risks, tests and bully boy fighters?

NEO CORTEX LIMBIC BRAIN The ‘Thinking’ Brain Left Right Words Creativity Patterns Sequences Imagination Analysis Whole picture LIMBIC BRAIN The ‘Feeling’ Brain Five senses Emotional Memory Context REPTILIAN BRAIN The ‘Survival’ Brain Basic body systems Desire to avoid harm Whats happening in the brain? Explore 3 parts and their roles Activity to ilustrate RH LH brain (IKEA cupboard) Do as continuum Feeling brain and seeing a snake story. (Or Ships example) Use stress as an example. Use flip to show relationship between Thinking and Feeling and Survival. Add test tube visuals Use story of being followed Then equate this to a pupils journey to school

Zones for Learning Comfort Zone Challenge Zone Stress Zone

Would you like to know more? Check out PBS www.pbs.org/wnte/brain/outreach/episodes.html Neuroscience for Kids http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html Brain activities www.brainconnection.com