1. Neuroscience in Education

2.  We Only Use about 10% of Our Brain.  We Are Born With a Certain Number of Brain Cells and Those Cells Have To Last Our Lifetime.  People Become “Hard Wired” After A Certain Age and It Is Impossible to Change.

3.  100 Billion Neurons  Up to 50x that number of Glial Cells (Support)  Has About a Trillion Connections (Synapses)  Every Brain is different (You are your Connectome)  It doesn’t stop developing until the age of 24, but in truth, it never stops developing!  Brain to brain communication is possible  Brain to microchip interface has been created!

4.  Neuroplasticity - Your brain is malleable and flexible and it changes its physical structure every time you learn something new! (Synaptogenesis)  Neurogenesis – Every day, your brain makes about 1000 new neurons (mostly in the hippocampus) that can be used to help form new memories!

5.  Yes! They have one!  No, It doesn’t necessarily work properly. 1. Frontal Lobe is Underdeveloped. 2. Amygdala First! 3. Periods of Synaptic Pruning 4. An Incomplete Foundation of Knowledge

6.  Social  Cognitive  Emotional  Physical Including Neurological All of these are stressful singularly, add to it the educational stress kids are under and the many erroneous beliefs about the college admissions process. Kids are burning out!

7.  Eight Stage Theory (Critical Periods)  Belen Students are working through two of those stages or “Conflicts.”  School Age 6-12 – Industry vs. Inferiority  Adolescence Puberty – 20ish – Identity vs. Role Confusion

8.  Learning Styles… True, but practical?  Real Brain Differences and the Benefits!  ADD& EF - Creative, Energetic, Social, Can Juggle, Free Thinking, Loyal…  Dyslexic – Visual, Spatial, Mechanical, Story Oriented, Authors, Engineering 40%...  GAD- Vigilant, Loyal, Self Motivated, Observers, Computers, Writers…  OCD- Perfectionist, Detailed, Organized, Accountants, Mathematicians…  ASD- Experts, Depth -Not Breadth, Honest, Individualized, Detailed …

9.  The Educational “System” may not be kind, but in adulthood things become easier.  Self-esteem  Identity  The Benefits of the Struggle. – don’t remove every obstacle!  Help! We can rewire the brain over time to alleviate some of the symptoms they experience within the “system.”

10.  The real brain differences can be “fixed.”  The short term benefits of “accommodations” vs. the long term effects of doing nothing.  Neurological brain training! Neuroplasticity!  Cogmed  Lift  Fast ForWord & Spell-Read  Arrowsmith  Neurofeedback

11.  Sleep! Adolescents need 9 hours!  Cardiovascular Exercise!  Novelty – Challenge your Brain!  Nutrition! You really are what you eat!  Reduction or Removal of Gluten & Sugar!  Reduction of Stress!  Frequent Breaks!  Play…

12.  Consult a doctor prior to starting any supplement regimen. - Brain specific supplements: 1. Probiotics (Immune System) 2. Turmeric ( Anti-inflammatory –Antioxidant) 3. Vitamin D (More than Bone Health for Neurotransmitters) 4. Resveratrol (Increases blood flow, curbs fat cells) 5. Alpha Lipoic Acid (Fatty Acid in Every Cell) 6. Coconut Oil (reduces Inflammation) 7. DHA (90% of Omega 3 in the Brain) 8. Nuts! (Omega 3) 9. Milk Thistle (Stimulates Natural Antioxidants) 10. Coffee! (Activates Natural Antioxidants) 11.Vitamin B Complex 12. Low-dose Aspirin (Inflammation)

13.  Know that every time you learn something new, your brain rewires its self!  Learning Differences NOT Disabilities!  Differences can be “fixed” or rewired!  Developmentally, children are changing and growing on many different levels!  One of the best things we can do for our children is to help them reduce stress and keep a balanced life!  Help by reducing stress and maintaining a balanced life.  Keep it all in Perspective!