Brain Research and Your Child

Recently as a staff we did a training on "brain research" in the Early Childhood Field.  Although it is something we as teachers need to know, it is also important for parents to understand as their children grow and learn.

The question has often been asked...is learning more dependent on "nature" or "nurture"?  Research indicates that it really depends on a complex combination of genes and environment.  In early childhood programs we can use this information in designing appropriate environments for learning.

Some of the environmental implications that influence brain function are listed below:

• Children need restful sleep at night and daily naps.  The brain uses this time to do its housekeeping and reorganize itself.  As adults we can understand that a "power nap" can benefit us as well.
• Children also need diets rich in protein (meats, nuts and cheese), fatty 3 acids, and selenium and boron (leafy green vegetables).  "Fast food" and "junk food" do not fall into these categories.  Healthy diets require a balance.
• Children should drink water frequently during the day...thirsty brains can't think.  Try to eliminate excessive juice drinking when you can and leave out sodas altogether.
• Children learn better in an environment where they feel safe.  When you seek a childcare or school for your child their sense of safety should be very important.
• Appropriate toys should be provided that encourage the skills for each year of their lives.  For example...during the first few years of life children are focused on cause and effect relationships and should be offered toys that reinforce this concept.  Video and computer games do not support these skills and should be kept to a minimum.
• Pay attention to colors.  Bright colors make us more alert, darker colors calm us.  There is an appropriate use for all colors, but think about how you are using them and the effect they may have on the brain.
• Change is good...rotate toys, rearrange the room, etc.  Just don't make too many changes at once.  Change is good...it causes children to adapt to whatever situation they are in, but too much change at school or at home can cause great anxiety.
• Children need space because motor development is at its peak in the preschool years.  Along with that space there is a need for quiet activities as well as active learning.
• Include plants in the environment...plants increase oxygen and the brain needs oxygen to stay alert.  Just be careful about the toxicity of any plants that are within the reach of your children.
• Provide stimulation...but not too much that will cause children to lose focus.  Busy rooms and spaces can overwhelm some children so be careful when you decorate or furnish a space.

Although these things are important in an Early Childhood setting they are equally as important for your children at home.  During the first few years of your child's life their brain is developing rapidly so the importance of all these factors is even greater. 

The Meanest Mother in the World

As my children were growing up they would sometimes say that I was a mean mother because I wouldn't let them do something that their friends could do or my rules were stricter than they liked.  As a mom, my rules were meant to teach my children things like responsibility, courage, honesty, courtesy, and respect.

Over the years I have appreciated an article that I found and that has been hanging on the wall in my house since my children were small.  In honor of Mother's Day, I'm sharing that article with you now.  I pray that it will give you a laugh and encourage you, as you mother your children by being a "mean mother" too!

"Meanest Mother in the World"

 I had the meanest Mother in the world.  While other kids had candy for breakfast, I had to eat cereal, eggs and toast.  While other kids had cakes and candy for lunch, I had a sandwich.  As you can guess, my dinner was different from the other kids's dinners, too.

My mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times.  You'd think we were on a chain gang or something.  She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing.

I am ashamed to admit it, but she actually had the nerve to break the child labor law.  She made us work.  We had to wash dishes, make the beds and learn how to cook.  That woman must have stayed awake nights thinking up things for us kids to do.  And she insisted that we tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

By the time we were teenagers, she was much wiser and our life became more unbearable.  None of this tooting the car horn for us to come running; she embarrassed us to no end by insisting that the boys come to the door to get us.

I forgot to mention that most of our friends were allowed to date at the mature age of 12 or 13, but our old fashioned Mother refused to let us date until we were 15.  She really raised a bunch of squares.  None of us was ever arrested for shoplifting  or busted for dope.  And who do we have to thank for this?  You're right, our mean mother. 

I am trying to raise my children to stand a little straighter and taller and I am secretly tickled to pieces when my children call me mean.  I thank God for giving me the meanest Mother in the world.  Our country doesn't need a good five cent cigar.  It needs more mean Mothers like mine.

Blessings on that wonderful woman.

                                                                        Author Unknown

Blessings on your Mother's Day!