Brain development is a key part of childhood, and we parents are often concerned with the mental and developmental health of our kids. So during this year’s Brain Awareness Week, let’s think about how we can nurture the mental development of our children. This doesn’t mean that we have to play classical music at all hours and keep our kids busy with intense educational activities. At the same time, there are so many tools and toys that make it easy to keep our kids’ brains growing and developing. So let’s think about some easy ways to keep our kids’ brains healthy and strong.
We really can keep our kids’ brains in an educational and learning mode. And this is a great place for all of our brains to stay. Adults who are still willing to learn and grow tend to be more happy and more successful, no matter what life throws at them. So let’s set up our kids to have brains that are open to learning and looking for growth.
We can teach our kids about their brains
This is a key initiative for Brain Awareness Week, and while it may sound really high-level, it doesn’t have to be that way. We can teach our kids about the brain in an age-appropriate way.
Models
There are child-level models of the brain where you can take it apart and learn the different areas of the brain. It’s amazing how much kids can learn from models like this. There are also printable diagrams of the brain that your kids can color and learn from. And big words like amygdala and prefrontal cortex are actually fun for your kids to learn.
Benefits (a little brain science lesson)
And here’s a long-term benefit of learning the parts of our brains. As our kids grow and go through difficulties, we can talk to them about what areas of their brains are in control. We can help them understand the power of their mental responses, and even how to grow healthy new pathways in their brains.
When we feel stressed, the amygdala is in control. The amygdala does a great job of helping us handle a crisis. But it wasn’t meant to stay in control. So when we feel stressed out for a while, we can help our brains put the prefrontal cortex back in control by recognizing what is going on and telling ourselves what is true. “I am feeling frustrated about x, but I know things are going to work out, and I know it won’t last forever.” That thought is logical, not emotional, and so it builds a new pathway to the logical, decision-making part of our brains. This helps that logical part gain the control it is supposed to have back from the amygdala.
When we understand what is happening in our minds, we are more capable of handling difficult times, low times, and confusion. We have the tools to bring our prefrontal cortex (the logical part) back into control. And we have a more stable place to handle things when we understand what is happening to us.
So let’s keep our kids’ brains healthy and strong by teaching them about their brains as they grow. Models and toys, fun little shows, and our own encouragement are all great tools here. So is our Signing Time Dictionary, where you can help your kids learn signs to identify how they are feeling as they work to understand what is going on in their brains.
Trivia and logic games
There are soooooo many preschool level logic games out there. There are candy sorting games, car parking puzzles, castle building games, color coding puzzles, shape sorting games, and all kinds of logic puzzles for kids.
My family is new to the escape room experience, but my kids have been enjoying logic games since they were tiny. Now they are teens and pre-teens, and we recently did our first escape room. Just my kids and me. We rocked it, and the room operator couldn’t believe this was our first time. He said no one has ever done that well in that room. I don’t say this to boast, just to point out that all that logic practice played out in that room. So I feel like my kids’ brains are set up to use logic in life too. This didn’t happen by chance. We have been working through logic games and logic studies all along.
And while this might sound boring, it’s definitely not. My kids didn’t know they were doing logic games. They just loved these activities because they were fun. And they are great for our kids to work through on their own.
Trivia books are another thing kids love. There are fun fact books for kids about all kinds of things. Check out the kids section of your library for “100 facts about…” books or “You Wouldn’t Want to Be…” books. Kids love these goofy books, and they are great to keep our kids’ brains healthy and strong.
Movies and Shows
There are some great, entertaining movies for kids that explore brain-related topics. Watch movies like “Inside Out,” “Finding Dory,” or “Awakenings,” and then talk about the brain functions you see there. See if your kids can relate. Maybe break out that model of the brain and get really into it. These movies can be a great conversation and learning opportunity. Actually, most movies can be a good catalyst for conversation and learning with our kids.
And then, of course, you know that at My Signing Time, we work to be a fun educational resource for you and your kids. There are piles of truly educational shows, built just the way that toddlers and preschoolers need to learn. And there are never any ads, just silly, fun, educational programming. It really does help kids learn to communicate, to care, and to grow. You can get a sampling of full episodes from a variety of our shows in our Watch Free section, and you can try out a full subscription for free for 14 days!
So, there are just a few ways to help our kids’ brains keep growing and developing. Anything you can incorporate in your own family? Let’s keep our kids’ brains healthy and strong!