There is a lot happening in each and every student’s mind. When you and your students have a shared understanding of what’s going on inside their brains—and the language to communicate about it—everything becomes more manageable in the classroom.
Teaching brain basics in the classroom can result in the following outcomes for your students and yourself.
Students empowered with basic brain knowledge have better:
Self-Awareness
Children love to know what’s going on inside their brains and what regions of the brain are responsible for different thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This knowledge of brain structures and functions helps children understand the direct link between their brains and their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Self-Regulation
Children empowered with basic brain knowledge are able to better manage thoughts , feelings, and behaviors. More importantly, this knowledge gives them the ability to calm themselves down (i.e., self-regulate) on-demand.
Social Skills
When a child knows the basics of what’s happening in their brain, they are able to infer what’s going on inside the brains of their peers. This knowledge promotes empathy, cooperation, and understanding between students.
Focus and Attention
Students with basic brain knowledge are able to use skills that allow them to focus their attention for problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and cooperation.
When you understand what’s happening in a student’s brain, chances are you’ll experience improvements in your:
Relational Skills
Knowing what’s going on inside a child’s brain makes you more likely to be able to meet that child where they are at and then provide the right solutions to help get them to where they need to be.
Classroom Management Techniques
When you and your students have a shared understanding and language about the brain, you are quickly able to get on the same page. Then you can do what it takes to find harmony and move forward in the classroom.
Instructional Abilities
Having basic brain knowledge allows you to adapt lesson plans to students depending on how they are doing on any given day.