As Valentine’s Day approaches I am naturally reminded of the heart. We often refer to the heart in ways more accurately associated with the brain. All the love we feel and all the hurt that we term a broken heart finds impetus in the brain. Often it is said that the most important sexual organ is the brain. Well, we could also make the case that it’s the most important romantic organ and, it follows that our soul may well be found in gray matter.

Everything begins in the brain: all that we know, all that we are, everything we feel. And speaking of the soul, what is it that can stir our thoughts and release endorphins and emotions to galvanize us into action and take us to a level we never thought possible? What is it that can grow our intelligence through sheer energy and excitement and by altering perspective in such a way as to make all things seem possible? What is it that reminds us we are all connected to the same divinity a divinity , one could argue, we best connect with through music. If music is the cosmic dance and our mind on music is greatly enhanced, what else can bring our souls together or even remotely has that chance?

I tend to be slightly behind the curve. However, in case I’m not check this out: http://playingforchange.com

Too cool for school!

Technorati Tags: Emotion, Endorphins, The brain

If you increase your ability to remember things you will increase your basic intelligence. In a way, we are what we remember. I don’t mean to suggest that regurgitating facts memorized by rote exemplifies intelligence. However, the quicker we are at accessing information and, in the process, creating linkages the greater the enhancement of our brain’s capacity.

Recently, I watched Fahrenheit 451 with Oscar Werner and Julie Christie. If you have ever read the book or seen the film you may recall - pun intended - the people who committed to memorizing entire books verbatim as a way to preserve the literature that was being systematically destroyed by the authorities.

I was struck by that as a child when I first saw the movie, thinking to myself how impossible that must be. In fact, that is exactly the way great stories were passed along from one generation to another before recorded history. The epic poems of Homer have been cited by more than one scholar as examples of an oral tradition. Taking into account how long ago he lived and that he was famously blind this does seem logical.

There are ways to exercise your mind with the goal of memory improvement. Scientific evidence suggests this may be the best way to prevent what has heretofore been referred to as senility. Harry Lorrayne made wonderful use of the Link Method of memorization which was first applied by the Greeks. This is where the familiar adages, in the first place, in the second place etc. originated. Greek orators would associate passages in their speeches with areas of their homes, for example. This method is one way to improve your memory. You should, however, begin by simply trying to memorize what you see before you. Practice taking stock of a room in your home, for example, closing your eyes and attempting to recall all that you can. It’s a good exercise and you will improve with practice.

Some of us lack the discipline, however, to commit to that kind of regular exercise routine and would rather rely on a routine that is already established, especially one that is scientifically created by experts. If that sounds like something that would serve you well you will find it at Lumosity.

Technorati Tags: Increasing memory can enhance basic intelligence.

The idea is to create new circuitry. “When that scaffolding is finally in place,” Richard Restak wrote in his book Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot, “you will experience yourself in the world differently.”

“When we’re young we are recruiting neurons to form networks or nerve nets,”  Restak goes on to say. As we age the networks can connect to multiple networks utilizing common neurons, which is why learning a second foreign language is made easier once you’ve learned the first one.

In truth, the things that require the most effort usually prove most rewarding. Moving out of the comfort zone is almost always a good idea and the sense of accomplishment, despite early frustration, can be so uplifting emotionally and such a confidence builder, all things combine to increase brain function. It’s difficult to convince your teenager of this but the older we get the more we realize just how meaningful that is.

The key is to step gently. It’s best to move ever so slightly out of the comfort zone and allow your brain a chance to process new concepts before moving on; it’s important to challenge ourselves without making the task so overwhelming that we lose interest.

Scientifically designed brain games are geared for that kind of gradual challenge.

We are aware that drugs can help with depression and anxiety. Anti-depressants have become the treatment of choice to a large extent in curing a variety of mood disorders. A change in attitude can often attain similar results. In other words, the mind can alter the brain.

If the connections within the brain change from electrical to chemical at the synapses, attitude and activity can go along way to change our internal chemistry. It does not always work so easily and sometimes in extreme cases prescription drugs are necessary, however, exercise and the right kind of psychological stimulus can surprise us.  Watching a “feel-good” movie or learning something new or listening to music are prime examples.

If you combined music with learning something new by undertaking to learn an instrument or simply strengthen your music appreciation, you might find such an endeavor brings with it new found hope, faith in the future and improved brain function.

In troubling times such as these, depression and anxiety readily crop up even for those not prone to depression. But simple pleasures and maintaining a positive attitude even to the point of absurdity can be keys to mental well-being, not to mention our very survival.

If you knew it was possible to challenge your brain in a gentle and fun way; if you also knew it would require only a few minutes a day and that, not only would your progress be measured, but you yourself would quickly begin to notice the difference, would you pursue that path? Most of us have accepted the prior universal belief that a child’s brain is like a sponge and, after an early age we lose the ability to learn knew things and grow our intelligence. Show me the lad ’til five; I’ll show you the man, the English say. But ‘it ain’t necessarily so’ and we should not surrender to that notion. Happily, several studies point in the opposite direction. Public television in the past year aired and re-aired a very encouraging documentary on the brain’s plasticity and cognitive abilities. Recent research coming out of Hamburg, Germany and published in the Journal of Neuroscience demonstrates that older brains still have the flexibility to literally grow. “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief” by James M. McPherson documents that Lincoln taught himself to become a crack lawyer, in middle age taught himself Euclidean geometry solely for the mental discipline, and taught himself to become a military strategist. He was always challenging his brain. If there’s a recurring theme in all of this it is, simply put, use it or lose it. Some endeavors are more helpful than others, though. Moreover, you can’t rest on your laurels. The subject of brain development is intriguing to most of us, especially us late bloomers, and if brain training is indeed possible the only question remaining is: where do we sign up? The scientists at Lumosity have created amazing games to improve all components of brain development. The games are fun, varied and, as you progress, they become more challenging. You’ll find yourself looking forward to each new session, which end all too quickly, and you will in short order be impressed by a noticeable increase in mental acuity. There are of course many activities with the same goal in mind to be discussed but Lumosity, which offers a free trial period, is an excellent place to begin.

Benjamin Connor just can’t sit still. Fidgeting at his desk in the second grade classroom of Mrs. Flutey, Benjamin has a hard time focusing on his lessons. Staring out the window, he’s itching to get out on the playground and let loose.

At one point, Benjamin would be characterized as a restless child. Perhaps, his parents think, he may have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or some other learning challenge. Or Benjamin may simply need the opportunity to get up and get a little physical activity in order to pay attention in the classroom.

“We need to understand that kids need a break,” Dr. Romina Barros, a pediatrician and assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said in a recent New York Times story. “Our brains can concentrate and pay attention for 45 to 60 minutes, and in kids it’s even less. For them to be able to acquire all the academic skills we want them to learn, they need a break to go out and release the energy and play and be social.” Benjamin’s restlessness could be his brain’s signaling to him that he simply needs to get up and move.

Studies today confirm that movement is essential part of learning and academic performance. In recent years, neuroscientists have well established that a brain’s neural connections are enhanced through plenty of movement and play in infants and toddlers. However, research also clearly demonstrates that movement is essential during the later years of childhood for cognitive and developmental capacities to continue to expand and grow. Simply put, physical movement, from newborns on up, is critical for brain optimization: physical activity fuels the brain.

A study at Rutgers University-Newark that was published in the journal nature affirms this notion that early motor activity is fundamental to cortical brain development. The infinitely complex system of interacting networks in the developing brain relies on an individual’s body movements rather than from sensory inputs and stimulation alone (such as television and video).

Scientists now believe that to achieve the optimization of a well-developed, mature brain, stimulation in the form of movement is especially necessary during all phases of a child’s development.

Movement not only strengthens neural development but also nourishes the brain with increased oxygen by increasing the capacity of its blood vessels. Furthermore, movement allows the left and right hemispheres of the brain to “cross-communicate.” The integration of both hemispheres of the brain is critical to learning. Eric Jensen, an educator and author, argues there is a strong correlation between the body and mind. In essence, Jensen advocates that physical movement/exercise is one of the ideal ways to augment learning. Students who are more physically active witness improved scholastic performance and have a more positive attitude about the schoolroom.

OK, so the linkage between movement and the mind appears undisputed. We know that, in the same way that exercise strengthens muscular development, physical activity stimulates and fuels brain growth by activating nerve cells in the brain and causing them to stimulate neurological pathways.

Although there is an abundance of studies that link movement to brain development and enhanced learning, many parents and educators still aren’t taking the hint and incorporating physical activity into a child’s daily regimen.

Schools, for legitimate budgetary and liability reasons, have severed the proverbial head of a child from her body by cutting “extracurricular” activities and programs. While this may appear to provide the added benefit of keeping children focused on studies in the classroom, the reasoning behind the desire to have children spend more time sitting learning and virtually no time engaged in movement is contrary to what the research shows and what we now understand about cognitive development and learning. In fact, the very activities and programs that have been eliminated (sports, dance, theater, recreation, art) are not “extracurricular” in any way but fundamental to learning itself. From early on, movement plays an integral role in cognitive development and learning. It is fundamental to the classroom experience.

In fact, movement benefits the whole child. In addition to the “invisible benefits” of nourishing the brain, movement can also diminish discipline problems. In a recently released study published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, researchers from Albert Einstein found that school recess can help reduce unruly classroom behavior.

From preventing obesity and developing physical fitness to improved cognitive function, movement should be a staple of every child’s daily activities. Early movement experiences and activities, so critical to optimal brain development, should be introduced early in life (yes, in infancy!) and encouraged throughout childhood and adolescence. It’s important to realize a child is never “just moving” or “just playing.” Every physical action embellishes the child’s development in some important, though frequently unobservable, way.

Apart from insisting that schools maintain movement programs, parents should, on their own, encourage their children to engage in physical activities, both structured (such as soccer teams and dance classes) and unstructured (playing games of hopscotch, or hide-and-seek or jump rope).

Avoid succumbing to urges to turn on the television or computer. Conquer your own couch-potato habits and do some role-modeling about physical exercise. Encourage movement-based hobbies and projects. Go biking, build a snowman, take family walks! It doesn’t matter what kind of activities you choose provided they stimulate appropriate forms of movement and last long enough to energize your bodies and brains. Acknowledge the importance of physical activity — at home and school — for your children, regardless of their ages.

Above all else, remember that movement promotes your children’s overall well-being and provides some of the most essential building blocks of the mature, developed brain. So, let them dance, play and march and move. Allowing your children to express themselves through movement and physical activity is not only good for the heart and soul but for the mind as well.

Alyssa Martina is founder, president and publisher of Metro Parent Magazine and one of Metro Detroit’s foremost experts on parenting. You can reach her at amartina@metroparent.com.

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Technorati Tags: brain optimization, cognitive development, cross-communication

Scientific synopsis: Auditory and vestibular systems receive coupled inputs, contributing to the brain’s multisensory processing of music. Infants learn to feel the beat of music through movement, and this shapes the perception of music throughout our entire lives. Thus music and movement promote early brain development, and play an integral role in the social and emotional experience of music, such as between mother and child, between lovers, and in any community around the world and throughout human history.

Artistic vision: The first musical interaction is between the mother and her infant, such as through the mother’s singing and musical movement. The child becomes a woman, and music functions in her bonding with a mate, which is expressed through a spontaneous salsa dance. The woman becomes a mother, and in her turn, moves musically with her new child. The life cycle continues, and music is always present.

Artist: Jessica Phillips-Silver, Ph.D.

Duration : 0:3:38

Technorati Tags: Auditory, Beat, Dance, Feel, infant, Movement, Music, Rhythm, Salsa, Science, Vestibular

Developed by Pamela in a Montessori environment, Right Brain Education is a gentle but powerful method of activating both left and right hemispheres of the brain to work together to accelerate learning, activate photographic memory, promote speed reading and make early learning fun for both children and parents. As an accelerated early learning program, it was also inspired by early childhood educators such as Maria Montessori, Glenn Doman, Makodo Shichida, Tony Buzan and others.
Right Brain Education is not just a knowledge-building program — it is a way to learn more deeply and efficiently.
Right Brain Education is built upon scientific findings about brain development. Because the outer cortex of the brain develops from right to left, this gives a window of time during which your child is functioning primarily with the right hemisphere.

In the first six years of life, a child’s right brain is open and primed to absorb incredible amounts of information. Children with early exposure to quality topics during this time — such as math, reading and writing — create a rich knowledge library they’ll tap into for the rest of their lives.

Right Brain Kids has a gentle early learning program called TweedleWink for children ages zero to about six that is tailored with special methods and techniques to help take optimum advantage of this highly fertile right brain learning period.

See a sample TweedleWink right brain lesson at http://www.rightbrainkids.com/early-learning-flashcards/

As a child continues to grow and develop, their right brain pathway becomes less engaged. Right Brain Kids has a program called Wink that uses delightful games and playful training exercises to help reactivate and maintain a child’s right brain connection.

Right Brain Education is very popular in Asia and the Far East where they place a great deal of emphasis and value on early learning and in giving their children every academic advantage to excel in school.

Get more information from an eBook at http://www.rightbrainkids.com/genius-child-program-ebook/

Pamela Hickein is a mother of four children, ages 3 to 15. She is an international author, educator and teacher trainer with over 300 students in Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Australia. She has been and honored speaker at the National ociation for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) sharing how to create caring, right brain learning environments for our children and youth.

Pamela Hickein is one of the principal owners of Right Brain Kids, the official web site of Right Brain Education. Pamela is active in teaching and promoting Right Brain Education on her web site.

Duration : 0:4:30

Technorati Tags: Advanced, baby, Brain, Childhood, Development, Early, education, Family, infant, learning, parenting, preschool, Right, Smart, Special

If the connections within the brain change from electrical to chemical at the synapses, attitude and activity can go along way to change our internal chemistry. It does not always work so easily and sometimes in extreme cases prescription drugs are necessary, however, exercise and the right kind of psychological stimulus can surprise us.  Watching a “feel-good” movie or learning something new or listening to music are prime examples.

If you combined music with learning something new by undertaking to learn an instrument or simply strengthen your music appreciation, you might find such an endeavor brings with it new found hope, faith in the future and improved brain function.

In troubling times such as these, depression and anxiety readily crop up even for those not prone to depression. But simple pleasures and maintaining a positive attitude even to the point of absurdity can be keys to mental well-being, not to mention our very survival.