USing+Brain+Science+to+ge+the+best+of+imagination+from+students

Edward M. Hallowell, MD

Parents have a subconscious plan:

2 Plans: 1.) Own childhood model 2.) Pyramid Model - Based on a child's success being contingent on being successful every step of the way. Teachers have a dramatic power to change lives.

What works: 5 Step Plan

1.) Connect: Primary engine of growth, health is the force of connection (love). Love drives growth. Connected childhood. It's free and infinite in supply. Connection between parent and child is the greatest pillar of connection. Connection and conflict go hand in hand. Opposite of connection is indifference NOT conflict. Spend time with your children and have fun. Connections to friends (be selective). Connection to school. Do they feel safe, welcomed? Is there something they are looking forward to doing? Is there someone there looking forward to seeing them? Connections to nature. Go outside and play./ Make up your games. Connections to pets. They are great teachers of connections. Connections to the past..grandparents.. hobbies...Connections to spirituality. (Connections to things not tangeable, things beyond knowledge, things to ) "Lord help me to always find the truth, and spare me from being in the company of those who have found it."

2.) Play: The more time a child can engage in play, the more their brain will grow. Light up the imagination. Asking questions is best way to engage the imagination. Lecturing to students is the least likely way to engage students and trigger imagination. The state of "Flow" is the state in which your brain does it's best work. This is during play. Best classes are a balance of structure and novelty.

3.) Work and practice The best way to get a child to work hard, is to pay attention to steps 1 and 2. Make sure they are connected and they play so that they WANT to work hard.

4.) Progress and gain mastery The result of step 3 is progress. Intervention is essential here. Confidence and self-esteem is made in this step. Connect then challenge over and over... Get kids to prove to themselves that they can do things they didn't realize they could do. Draw out of kids more then they think they've got.

5.) Get recognition No prizes. It means that someone who knows you recognizes you. Giving kids' reasons to do what is right. Programs in moral education are really programs in connections.

Confidence, self-esteem, resilience, growth mindset,= Attitude

Disabilities are not Dyslexia, ADHD etc.. the real disabilities are shame, low self-esteem, lack of confidence.. "Emotion is of the on/off switch for learning" -Patricia..??

__2 Highest Test Scores in the World:__ Finland - Best schools in the world. Teachers are paid more than doctors and their ability to engage the students' imaginations. South Korea - Highest test scores. Kids are driven to work, work, work...no play. Drill and practice. Not good at problem solving, or coming up with new solutions. These kids follow directions to the T.