I find I am frequently talking to parents about teens and the web. Their questions go beyond saftey issues they seem more about management concerns and why and how kids connect. When I talk to parents I go through the usual; keep the computer in the public room, refer them to a variety of internet safety sites, and how our family has an AUP. But they want more. How do you check who your kids are chatting with? How much…
Rule # 4: We don’t pay attention to boring things. Ironically I had trouble attending to this chapter. I was reading this at my parents’ home and was constantly distracted. This is not to say the chapter was boring, just illustrated to me that it was difficult to keep refocusing if there are many distractions around. As I read this chapter I was thinking of the many special education classrooms I have visited. Often these students have difficulty maintaining attention….
Rule #3 Every brain is wired differently. This I remember from my college days studying biology. If you play the violin, practice meditation, or speak many language, your brain will be different from others. I use to always associated the saying ‘use it or lose it.’ with brain development. Our brains are very pliable when we are young and that in some way we educate our selves out of various talents. I know that the brain has a tremendous growth…
My children will be starting school in a few weeks. They are both heading to new schools my son off to middle school and my daughter off to high school. They will not be attending their home district schools but will be attending public charters. I am very fortunate that my children had excellent options. Their home district is one of the best in the state and the charter schools are also excellent. I would be pleased if they attended…
Continuing logging my thoughts on Brain Rules I move on to Chapter 2: Survival, the brain evolved too. In the first chapter: exercise, it was noted that in our human past we were constantly on the move. We exercised and this movement was key to our brains development it also meant we were good at thinking on our feet. Exercise leads to better brain function. This second chapter continues looking at our ancient past and how we, and our brain…
I have begun reading Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School, by John Medina. I have made it to chapter 8 but thought I should start writing down my thoughts on the various chapters. I am also participating in a Brain Rules discussion group that originated on Plurk. Brain Rules is a book that looks at 12 Rules, areas that scientist study about the brain. The book takes a look at what research says…